The Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule for the 13th national parliamentary election within this week, said BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed. 

Speaking at a public rally at Islamnagar Shaheed Hossain Chowdhury High School ground in Chakaria on Saturday afternoon, Salahuddin said, “The national parliamentary election is not merely for selecting winners; it will be an election that gains recognition and praise worldwide. The people themselves will safeguard their votes; there will be no need for anyone else.”

Salahuddin, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, expressed the hope that Bangladesh would hold a historic and transformative election in the first week of February.

He claimed that for 16–17 years, the people of Bangladesh were deprived of their voting and democratic rights under the ‘fascist’ rule of the Awami League. Despite the existence of nominal constitutional and democratic structures, he said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had effectively established a one-party system in the country.

“Sheikh Hasina has never demonstrated genuine trust or responsibility towards Bangladesh or its people. Rather than serving the citizens, she allegedly worked to protect the interests of a neighbouring country. Her primary goal was to plunder the nation’s resources and place the country under external influence,” Salahuddin added.

He also alleged that Sheikh Hasina’s departure from the country following public rejection proves that she does not belong to the people of Bangladesh.

The rally was attended by former MP Advocate Hasina Ahmed, Cox’s Bazar district BNP General Secretary Advocate Shamim Ara Swapna, Chakaria Upazila BNP President Enamul Haque, General Secretary M Mobarak Ali, and many others.

Later in the afternoon, Salahuddin was scheduled to continue his public engagement across Fasiakhali, Kakara, Lokkhar Char, and Boraitoli unions in Chakaria, addressing multiple rallies.