DHAKA, Jan 7, 2024 (BSS) - Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said Sheikh Hasina has set an example of holding a free and fair national election.

"Sheikh Hasina has proved that how an acceptable election can be held under an independent and neutral election commission (EC). People have witnessed it. She set a unique example of holding a fair election," he said at a press conference held at Dhaka district AL office in the city's Tejgaon area.

Expressing his satisfaction over just-finished 12th parliamentary polls, he termed the election as a 'Victory of the People'.

"We are grateful to the people of Bangladesh," he added.

He said that the people exercised their franchise in choosing their favorite candidates in the polls.

There was no intimidation or interference in voting, AL general secretary said, adding that thus, it (the election) will strengthen the democratic movement in the country.

The veteran AL leader further said that it was a challenge to complete this election peacefully. 

"A peaceful election was held despite many hurdles," he said, however, they (anti election forces) wanted to mislead the country's international friends.

Referring to BNP's evil attempts to foil election, Obaidul Quader said that people boycotted BNP in this election as they (BNP men) killed democracy in the country with their arson terrorism, strikes and blockades.

He said:"The politics of BNP-Jamaat is the politics of damaging democracy, killing people and turning people into corpses."

Quader thanked all those who were involved in ensuring such election in free, fair and neutral manner including the law enforcement forces.

AL Organizing Secretaries BM Mozammel Haque and Sujit Roy Nandi, Health and Population Affairs Secretary Dr Rokeya Sultana, Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Md Atiqul Islam and Chief Coordinator of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, among others, were present on the occasion.