February 9, 2023
DHAKA – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said no one will get a chance to raise any question about elections under the Awami League government after the recent by-polls to six constituencies and the Rangpur City Corporation election.
Touting those elections as free and fair, Hasina, also the leader of the House, said Jatiya Party has won a seat in one of the by-polls. A BNP lawmaker who had resigned from parliament also got reelected as an independent candidate.
“These have proved that fair elections were held under the Awami League rule,” she said while participating in the discussion on the thanksgiving motion on the president’s speech in parliament.
Apart from the by-polls, the PM said, the Rangpur mayoral election was also held in a free and fair manner.
“No one raised any complaints about the Rangpur mayoral election. Jatiya Party won that election defeating Awami League,” she said.
“I hope, after these [by-elections and mayoral election], no one will get a chance to raise any question about elections under the Awami League.”
In her speech, the premier said the government has built the Padma Bridge with its own funding, which was challenging. “This one decision has changed the image of Bangladesh internationally.”
She further said digital services were being spread to every corner of the country. People now can access land documents from home, while any bill can be paid online.
Thanking President Abdul Hamid for delivering speech in the first session of parliament of 2023, the prime minister said this was probably his last speech. “Because, according to our constitution, no one can become president for more than two consecutive terms.”
He has performed his duties successfully and efficiently as a “very lively president”, she said.
Abdul Hamid, who started his political life when he was a student, was also successful as the speaker and deputy speaker of the House, added the prime minister.