BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has warned that the interim government’s achievements will count for nothing if it fails to deliver a free and fair general election.

Speaking on Thursday (Sept 11) at a roundtable titled “Expectations and Challenges of a Fair Election” organised by Nagorik Coalition at Dhaka’s CIRDAP auditorium, Salahuddin stressed that holding a credible national election in February is the nation’s foremost challenge.

“I believe the Election Commission’s activities are proceeding in line with the roadmap it has announced,” he said, adding that the process must remain transparent and impartial.

The BNP leader acknowledged that while the country has moved beyond authoritarian rule, a consensus on how to transition to a functioning democratic process has yet to be reached. “There is still time. I hope we can engage in dialogue and arrive at a consensus before the election,” he remarked.

Underscoring the constitutional dimension, Salahuddin said that only a duly elected parliament has the authority to approve constitutional amendments. “Any deviation from this process could leave a revised constitution vulnerable to legal challenge,” he cautioned.

He further said that while there are more than a hundred reform proposals on the table and full agreement among all parties may not be possible, he remained optimistic about reaching a compromise. “This is the beauty of democracy — we may differ, but we can still reach a consensus in the national and democratic interest,” he concluded.

SMS/