Election integrity must be beyond question: Ershad Ullah

Alhaj Ershad Ullah, the Chattogram Metropolitan BNP Convener and candidate for the Chattogram-8 constituency, has called upon the interim government to ensure a transparent and fair national election. Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with journalists on Tuesday afternoon, he emphasized that the spontaneous participation of the people is essential to making the upcoming polls unquestionable.

Concerns over Security and Illegal Arms Ershad Ullah expressed deep concern over recent violent incidents, including the killing of a RAB officer in Sitakunda’s Jangal Salimpur on Monday. He also recalled the recent murder of Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka and his own experience of being shot during a campaign rally in November.

"These incidents are instilling fear in the public mind," he said. "To meet the people's expectations for the February 12 polls, the government must strictly control the law-and-order situation and launch a vigorous drive to recover illegal weapons."

Vision for the 'New Bangladesh' Urging voters to provide a thoughtful verdict, Ershad Ullah noted that a democratic mandate is the only way to restore stability and economic dynamism. He highlighted BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s "31-point reform outline" as the roadmap for national development. Locally, he pledged that his first priority if elected would be the full implementation of the long-stalled Kalurghat Bridge project.

Critique of Referendum Spending At the same meeting, Chattogram Metropolitan BNP Member Secretary Nazimur Rahman voiced concerns regarding the simultaneous constitutional referendum. While confirming the party's support for a 'Yes' vote on the July National Charter, he termed the government’s massive spending on 'Yes' vote campaigning as "immoral" and "embarrassing."

He also criticized the lack of action against "mob justice" and pointed to flaws in recent public notices issued by the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) as evidence of systemic weakness in law enforcement.