Govt ensured voting rights of people: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said democracy is now established on a strong base in the country as her government has ensured the voting rights of people.

“We’ve ensured it (the environment) so that the people of Bangladesh can exercise their franchise freely,” she said.

The Prime Minister was addressing the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected mayors and councillors of Rajshahi and Sylhet City Corporations at her office.

Sheikh Hasina said Awami League mayoral candidate AHM Khairuzzaman Liton secured victory in Rajshahi City Corporation, while BNP’s Arifur Haque Chowdhury won Sylhet City polls. “Both were sworn in at one function,” she said.

“People in every area have attained their voting rights and can elect candidates of their choice... it’s proven today,” she said.

Noting that democracy means the voting rights of people, which is the constitutional rights, she said, “We're fully devoted to this (ensuring the voting rights). We want people to have their rights in their hands.”

The government takes actions in case of minor incidents in any place during any election, she said adding, “We want people to enjoy their basic rights and elect the candidates and their government as per their choice.”

Pointing at the newly elected mayors and councillors, Hasina said, “No matter what party you belong to, work properly for the overall development of their respective areas. It’s your duty.” 

The Prime Minister assured all, irrespective of their political affiliation, of extending her all-out cooperation to them as people have elected them.

Hasina, however, said no one will be spared on political consideration in case of any irregularities and corruption, instigation to militancy and terrorism activities in any place.

Mentioning her government's plan to establish a medical university in Sylhet, she said her government never allocated budget for local bodies on political consideration.

“When we make any fund allocation or undertake any project, we don’t consider what party they belong to as we consider the welfare of people.”

Hasina said the government made huge allocations for the Sylhet City Corporation as well.

Laying emphasis on a sustainable democratic system in the country, she said a country can prosper under a democratic rule. Over the last 10 years, Bangladesh has been able to achieve a tremendous success in every sector due to uninterrupted democracy, she added.

“Today, Bangladesh is recognised as a role model of development,” she said highlighting different socioeconomic development activities taken by her government since 2009.

Hasina said the Bangladesh Delta Plan-2100 has been prepared envisaging the next hundred years’ development plan. “Bangladesh is now a developing country, and we’ve to make it sustainable to move ahead.

Source: unb