BNP urges voters to boycott polling centers on Jan 7

In a bold move that has intensified the political landscape of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has called on voters to boycott the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections slated for January 7.

Simultaneously, the party has urged the public to join them in a comprehensive non-cooperation movement against the Sheikh Hasina government, effective immediately.

The announcement was made during a virtual press conference held at 12 noon on Wednesday, where Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the joint secretary general of the BNP, addressed the nation.

Adding weight to the declaration, the party's acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, conveyed a similar message through a video statement. Following these addresses, Rizvi detailed the party's plan for a widespread non-cooperation movement, acting on behalf of the top leadership.

In a call that challenges the electoral process, Rizvi urged officials and employees assigned to election-related duties to abstain from their responsibilities on the election day of January 7.

“Do not engage in the monkey games in the name of the election. Do not go to the polling centers. The list of who will be the Members of Parliament in the election has already been prepared,” he said.

Apart from the election boycott, the BNP has petitioned the government to suspend various financial obligations, including taxes, treasury payments, and bills for water, gas, and electricity.

Rizvi went further, cautioning the public to reconsider keeping money in banks, alleging that the government has siphoned off substantial funds through bank accounts.

In the midst of what the BNP claims are false and fabricated cases, Rizvi called upon accused political leaders and workers, numbering in the lakhs, to abstain from court appearances starting immediately.

This announcement comes on the heels of a countrywide dawn-to-dusk strike observed by the BNP on Tuesday, supporting their demands for the resignation of the current government and the annulment of the upcoming election. This follows a similar strike enforced on October 29, after a grand rally announcement in Dhaka on October 28.

Since these events, the BNP has executed various strategies, including disruptions and strikes, advocating for government resignation, elections under a non-partisan government, and the release of leaders and workers under an independent government. Other parties participating in the united movement are also implementing different plans.