PM urges people to go to polling centres to cast votes

Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the countrymen to cast their votes in the 7 January parliamentary election to prove that democracy has been prevailing in the country.

"Vote is your democratic and constitutional right. Go to the polling centres to cast your votes and thus prove that democracy is prevailing in the country," she said.

She said this while addressing the last public rally of the election campaign for the 12th parliamentary polls, at Fatullah in Narayanganj.

The Awami League president asked all to maintain peace across Bangladesh ahead of the general election.

Describing the “Boat” as the symbol of development, she said, "Boat is our electoral symbol. If you vote for us to assume power again, we will build a developed, prosperous, and Smart Bangladesh."

She said her government has made tremendous development of the entire Narayanganj in the last 15 years since 2009, which has been possible due to the continuation of a democratic government for a longer period.

"If we are voted to power again, we will build Narayanganj a smart city as it is a very important town and very close to the capital," she said.

The Awami League president also pledged to build three metro rail lines – 1, 2 and 4 – which will cross Narayanganj district.

She said conspiracies are being hatched till the date to foil the election, urging the countrymen to remain alert to this end. "There are lots of conspiracies to thwart the election. So, maintain peace to this end." 

Sheikh Hasina said the BNP has started boycotting elections since they were defeated badly in 2008 in which the BNP-led alliance only got 20 seats while the Awami League got 233 seats.

"Sensing defeat, the BNP-Jamaat clique is out to foil the election by arson terrorism like 2013-14," she said, adding, "But the people of the country will not allow restricting voters from casting votes." 

The Awami League president reached the venue ground at 3:13pm and waved the national flag to a roaring response from the participants after boarding the boat-shaped huge stage.

Narayanganj district and metropolitan Awami League organised the rally at the AKM Shamsuzzoha Sports Complex ground in Fatullah's Masdair area.

At the rally, Sheikh Hasina introduced her party-nominated four candidates of Narayanganj district.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Narayanganj-4 Awami League candidate Shamim Osman, the party’s Office Secretary Biplab Barua, Narayanganj-1 aspirant Golam Dastagir Gazi, Narayanganj-3 candidate Abdullah Al Kaiser, and Narayanganj-2 contender Nazrul Islam, among others, also spoke at the rally.

Bangladesh Awami Juba League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and Narayanganj City Corporation Mayor Ivy Rahman also spoke when Narayanganj-5 member of parliament Salim Osman was present on the dais.

Narayanganj district Awami League President Abdul Hai presided over the event.

The ruling party leaders and supporters started assembling at the venue ground in morning with processions, chanting various slogans and taking placards in hands from different parts of Narayanganj district.

The ground was filled to the brim with the people of all strata of life that turned the rally into a human sea.

Narayanganj and its nearby districts wore a festive look as the roads, lanes, and by-lanes were decorated with various posters, banners, and placards welcoming Sheikh Hasina and seeking votes for “Boat.”