Dhaka — Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said he does not see much possibility of election engineering ahead of the country’s 13th National Parliamentary Election, expressing cautious optimism about the electoral environment despite past concerns.

Speaking to journalists at his residence in Thakurgaon, Fakhrul said that existing checks and balances and the conduct of officials so far suggest that the upcoming polls could be held in a credible manner. He acknowledged that public scepticism remains due to allegations of manipulation in previous elections, but maintained that the current situation appears more favourable.

Fakhrul noted that while there were some early incidents that raised questions, the overall restraint shown by political actors has helped ease tensions during the campaign period. He stressed the need for all parties and state institutions to act responsibly to ensure a fair and transparent voting process.

The BNP leader said government officials must perform their duties impartially and create an environment where voters can exercise their franchise freely. He also pointed to increased public interest in the election, including strong participation by women during campaign events, describing it as a positive sign for democracy.

With campaigning drawing to a close and polling scheduled for February 12, Fakhrul urged voters to take part in the electoral process, while authorities have reiterated that security and administrative preparations are in place to facilitate a peaceful election. 

This image is taken from thedailystar.