This year’s election was the fairest after 1975: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that this year’s election was the freest, fairest and most credible in Bangladesh after 1975.

The Prime Minister said this at a view exchange meeting with Tungipara Awami League leaders and activists at her official Ganabhaban residence on Wednesday.

“I think the election that was held in Bangladesh on January 7 this year was the freest, fairest and most neutral since 1975,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the BNP-Jamaat wanted to foil the January 7 polls by doing various misdeeds. But the most important thing of the election is that the people spontaneously went to the polling stations and cast their vote, she said.

Mentioning that the journey ahead is not so easy, the Prime Minister said “Many obstacles have to be overcome. Many conspiracies surround this Bangladesh.”

She said over 30 types of medicines are given free of charge through community clinics and today there is no need to bring old clothes from abroad.

Sheikh Hasina said that they have arranged rice and clothes as well as ensured medical treatment and education for the country's people. “In this way we are working for the welfare of people.”

Regarding the commodity prices, she said that global food prices have increased, and that is why the government has to pay a huge amount of money to buy fertilisers, seeds, wheat, fuel oil, edible oil and gas.

Laying emphasis on brining uncultivated land under cultivation, she said “wherever there is fallow land, we should bring it under cultivation. We will do whatever we can to help. At the same time, we will make arrangement for marketing through cooperatives.”