Election on time as per constitution: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today reiterated that the upcoming national election will take place on time as per the constitution, saying, "Why are there efforts to create a constitutional crisis as there is no scope to hand over the power to an unelected government?"

"Everybody knows it (judgement of court and amendment of constitution). Why are they trying to create a constitutional crisis even after knowing it? What is the motive? It means destroying the democratic trend," she said.

The premier was addressing a press conference at her official residence Ganabhaban over the outcomes of her recent visits to Switzerland and Qatar. She said there is no scope to hand over the power to an unelected government, adding, there is a judgement of the higher court that an elected head of government shall be replaced by another elected head of government and the constitution was also amended accordingly.

Sheikh Hasina said the motive is to create a constitutional crisis to destroy the ongoing democratic trend and socio-economic progress, which has been continuing for the last 14 and half years. Now it is up to the people of the country - whether they want the continuation of democratic trend, economic development and the welfare of the people or they want again the situation Bangladesh faced during the last caretaker government, she said. Noting that the BNP and some other parties have taken to the streets, the Prime Minister questioned what their problem is and where the sources of their finance are.

She said the upcoming general election will be held in time as per the constitution and the electoral laws. Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Deputy Leader of the House and AL Presidium Member Begum Matia Chowdhury, Information and Broadcasting Minister and AL Senior Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq and State Minister for the Ministry of Labour and Employment Begum Mujan Sufian were present on the dais. Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim moderated the press conference.

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