Sheikh Hasina re-elected President, Obaidul Quader GS of Awami League

Sheikh Hasina has been elected as the president of Awami League for the tenth time. Obaidul Quader was elected general secretary with her.

The president and general secretary were elected in the council session of the 22nd conference of Awami League on Saturday.

AL leader Amir Hossain Amu proposed Sheikh Hasina's name as president of the party and Mostafizur Rahman Fizar seconded the motion.

Sheikh Hasina was elected unopposed as there was no opposing candidate for the post.

AL general secretary Obaidul Quader was re-elected to the post for the third consecutive time. His name was proposed by Shadhan Chandra Majumder and seconded by Dhaka district AL leader Panirurzaman Tarun.

Both of them were elected unopposed to the post for the next three years by around 7000 councillors and delegates of the party. The two leaders will form the central committee of AL in due course.

The new council has introduced nominal changes in the top decision making body of the party indicating a preference for continuity as the AL prepares for the forthcoming general elections scheduled to be held in January 2024.

Earlier, in the day, Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened the 22nd national council meeting by hoisting the national flag and releasing pigeons and balloons at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka.

Some foreign envoys and eminent personalities, representatives of various political parties including the 14-party alliance and Jatiya Party were present. Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) did not participate in the programme, though it was invited.

Addressing the meeting, Sheikh Hasina cautioned the AL leaders and activists about the conspiracies and asked them to focus on the marginalised people to transform Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous and smart country by 2041.

Referring to the measures taken by the government for electoral reforms, she spoke about the new law to appoint Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners.

She assured that the next general election will be conducted in a free and fair manner.

Accusing Khaleda Zia of preparing a fake voter list of 1.23 crore people during her regime, she said Awami League is the only party which ensured voting rights of the people.