Staff Correspondent:
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that the people will not allow their voting rights to be taken away in any way in the upcoming February 12 national election. He expressed his firm conviction and said that a fair and acceptable election can be ensured only through the unity and awareness of the people.
He made these remarks at an election rally organized at Bhawal Rajbari Ground in Gazipur on Tuesday (January 27, 2026) after 12 midnight on his way back from Mymensingh to Dhaka.
Tarique Rahman said that the autocratic rule has come to an end through a long movement. Now is the time to rebuild the country and change the standard of living of the people. He called on everyone to work tirelessly in unity to achieve this goal.
Requesting voters to be vigilant, the BNP Chairman said that every voter should be present at their respective polling stations before dawn on election day. He said, “After the Fajr prayer on the 12th, we will take a position in front of the polling station so that no one can take over early. Even after the voting is over, we must remain alert around the center.”
He mentioned that for the past many years, people have not been able to exercise their voting rights without any hindrance. There have been incidents of vote-stealing through various methods. He also warned that the people will not give that opportunity to anyone again.
Recalling the contribution of the people of Gazipur, Tarique Rahman said that thousands of people from this district went to Dhaka in the 2024 mass movement and played an important role in restoring democracy and protecting independence. He also urged everyone to be aware that this sacrifice should not go in vain.
Reminiscing about his childhood, he said that he had memories of growing up and playing sports at the Bhawal Rajbari field before the independence war. He also mentioned living with his family in the red bungalow opposite the Rajbari. From that place of spiritual connection, the BNP chairman asked the people of Gazipur for votes using the symbol of a sheaf of rice.
Highlighting BNP’s future plans for the development of Gazipur, Tarique Rahman said that construction of a flyover at Joydevpur rail crossing, excavation of canals, establishment of day-care centers in industrial areas, family cards for women and farmers’ cards will be introduced. He called for the candidates with the paddy sheaf symbol to win the upcoming elections to implement these plans.
At this time, BNP candidates for five constituencies in Gazipur were introduced. They are – Mujibur Rahman for Gazipur-1 constituency, A. M. Manjurul Karim Roni for Gazipur-2, S. M. Rafiqul Islam Bachchu for Gazipur-3, Shah Riazul Hannan for Gazipur-4 and Fazlul Haque Milan for Gazipur-5 constituency.
The public meeting held under the chairmanship of Metropolitan BNP President Shawkat Hossain Sarkar was moderated by M. Manjurul Karim Roni and Chowdhury Ishraq Ahmed Siddiqui. BNP Organizing Secretary Kazi Sayedul Alam Babul and several leaders at the central and local levels also spoke at the meeting.
