Accusing opposition leader Khaleda Zia of taking the country hostage, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today ruled out cancellation of January 5 polls and asked the people to actively participate in elections to uphold democracy.
"We had taken oath as an elected government to uphold democracy. That's why the elections will take place on January 5 in accordance with constitutional norms," Hasina said in a nationally televised address, accusing her arch-rival Zia of shunning dialogue and rejecting an offer to share power in an interim administration.
The BNP led by former premier and its 18-party alliance are boycotting the polls and political violence during their nationwide strikes and blockades have left over 120 people dead and crippled the economy since November. The opposition has been demanding a non-party caretaker government to oversee the polls.
However, Hasina rejected opposition demand an said there was no way for un-elected individuals to come to power unconstitutionally.
Hasina also said that she had no desire to hold the polls without the participation of the opposition.
"You saw that we tried our best to get the BNP to join the polls... But the BNP did not participate despite our sincere efforts," she said.
"She (Zia) held the people to hostage in the name of strikes and blockades," Hasina said and asked the people to actively participate in elections to uphold democracy.
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad expressed confidence that the opposition-enforced blockade will not affect the polls.
After apprising the President of poll preparations, he told reporters that necessary arrangements have been made "so there will be no problem in elections due to the blockade".
"A peaceful environment will be ensured for the voters. We've taken all measures so that voters can exercise their franchise uninterruptedly," he said.
Election in 147 constituencies out of the total 300 will be held on Sunday. Candidates in 153 other parliamentary seats have been elected uncontested as the opposition is boycotting the elections.
The opposition has enforced a non-stop blockade from January 1 to foil the polls. They have dismissed the elections as 'farce'.
Earlier, Hasina criticised Zia and said she will be tried for orchestrating violence. She came down heavily on those who are advocating to defer the polls. "Their job is to destroy democracy," she said.
"Bangladesh has not forgotten the 1/11," Hasina said, referring to the January 11, 2007 takeover by a military-backed caretaker government which stayed in power for around two years.
