DHAKA, Jan 19, 2024 (BSS) - Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said BNP's non-participation in the 12th general elections is part of its conspiracy against the country's sovereignty.

He made the remark while speaking at a press conference at the AL President's Dhanmondi political office here this afternoon.

Quader said the election would have been more competitive if the BNP participated in it. "Yet, the election was not voter-less and non-competitive though BNP did not participate in it. The party's election boycott is part of a conspiracy against the country's sovereignty," he added.

He said in many countries of the world, despite the participation of all political parties, the voter turnout is not seen above 40 percent. 

"We know that about 25-30 percent of voter turnout is seen in many countries, including in Europe. Sometimes it gets less than that," the AL general secretary said.

He said a crisis is prevailing all over the world while in the past few days snowstorms have killed 30 people in the United States in a cold wave. 

Many counties have been affected by the snowstorm and the Russia-Ukraine war, Quader said.

He said the first session of the 12th Jatiya Sangsad will begin on January 30. "We can claim that there is democratic continuity in the country because of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's bravery. Even after the elections, terrorists identified under the leadership of BNP are hatching plots," the minister added.

AL Organising Secretaries BM Mozammel Haque, Mirza Azam, Afzal Hossain and Sujit Roy Nandi, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan were, among others, present at the press conference.