TANGAIL, Nov 10, 2023 (DHAKA) - Agriculture Minister and Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Dr Md Abdur Razzaque today said the general elections will be held on time even if BNP does not join it.

"Even if the BNP does not come, the national elections will be held in the first week of January next," he said, addressing the inauguration of a day-long medical camp at Pirgacha St. Paul's High School playground of Madhupur upazila here.

Madhupur Upazila Awami League and Bangladesh Medical College Hospital organized the event under the patronage of Agriculture Minister, said a press release. 

"...The election schedule will be announced within a few days. There is no provision in the constitution that if no party comes to the election, there will be no election. Even if BNP does not come, many other parties will come to the election. So, the election will be held on time," he said.

"...We guarantee that the election will be held in a beautiful and peaceful environment," the minister added.

While responding to a query of the journalists that how much the election will be accepted if the BNP does not participate in the election, Razzaque said that the election will definitely be accepted. 
Stating that the Election Commission (EC) has been given necessary powers for holding a free and fair election, he said that the EC is preparing to make the upcoming election peaceful and acceptable to all.

He said BNP does not respect the constitution as they have been imposing strike-blockade on daily basis since October 28 to disrupt the upcoming election.

Akin to 2014-15, arson terrorism has started again, he said, adding that cars were burnt (by BNP men) every day. 

The police were beaten to death, he said, adding that BNP will not be able to prevent the election by doing this terrorism.

Madhupur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shamima Yasmin, Municipal Mayor Siddique Hossain Khan, St. Paul's Church Priest Father Lawrence, Aalok Healthcare Ltd Managing Director Md Lokman Hossain, Upazila Awami League Vice President Abdul Gafur Montu, Joint General Secretaries Mir Farhadul Alam and Sadiqul Islam and Organizing Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, among others, were present, with Tangail District Awami League Member Yakub Ali in the chair.