BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Monday expressed hope that democracy would be “restored' in Bangladesh in a peaceful process” in 2024.

Talking to reporters on the premises of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave, he also said that the BNP would be stronger with the support of the people in the days to come.

The leader said: "We turned down the farce that is being staged for a fake and bogus election. We, together with the people, also rejected this one-party government.” 

He alleged that the current government has been in power using the power of bullets and state machinery, not by the power of the people.                                                                                                  

“We’ll bring back democracy in Bangladesh not using the power of bullets, not by the power of police batons, not by the power of tear gas, not by the power of sound grenades. We’ll do it in a peaceful process by the power of people. That's what we hope for in the new year," the BNP leader said.

Dr Moyeen together with some leaders and workers of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) paid homage to Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath at his grave, marking the 45th founding anniversary of the BNP’s student body. Ziaur Rahman founded Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal on January 1, 1979.

He said: “The leaders and activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and the BNP would remain on the streets until democracy is restored in Bangladesh.”

The BNP leader said the government and the Election Commission would hold a fake election on January 7.

“You have seen that the government has already messed up everything with its efforts to hold the election. Even, the candidates from their alliance and pet opposition party are criticizing this election. So, we don't need to say anything about it," he said.

Dr Moyeen said the government has already held the election by determining who would be the member of parliament in 300 seats.

“So this is a fake election... no public representative will be a member of the parliament as it will be a selection. The Election Commission will announce the predetermined results on January 7. The voting on January 7 has now become meaningless,” he observed.

Meanwhile, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the Awami League government has already killed democracy. “They now want to bury democracy by holding a dummy election on January 7.”

 He made the remarks while distributing leaflets in the capital’s Kafrul area.

The BNP leader said the government’s dream of hanging onto power by holding another absurd election would not be materialized this time.

“The majority of the people of the country rejected this dummy election. None of the voters will go to the polling stations on January 7,” he said.

As part of their countrywide program, Rizvi along with leaders and workers of the BNP and its associate bodies distributed the leaflets, containing the party’s call for boycotting the upcoming election.

Many other Leaders of the BNP and like-minded opposition parties also distributed leaflets in different areas of the capital calling upon people to boycott the election.