BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan has said that discussions are taking place in various quarters regarding the restoration of democracy. He reiterated his party’s stance that national elections should be held by December.

Speaking at a discussion meeting on Friday (16 May), he questioned those opposing this timeline, asking on what grounds an election should be delayed beyond December.

The discussion, titled ‘Maulana Matin’s Role in Building an Exploitation-Free Society’, was organised by the Bangladesh Labour Party at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club.

Nazrul Islam Khan said that with what he described as the fall of fascism, one phase of a previously announced single-point demand had already been achieved. He added that people are now waiting for the remaining part of that demand to be fulfilled.

He further stated that for the past 16–17 years many citizens have not been able to exercise their fundamental rights, particularly the right to vote.

According to him, many young voters have reached voting age but have yet to cast a vote, and they wish to exercise this democratic right and express their views in state governance.

Nazrul Islam Khan also said that securing voting rights has historically involved sacrifices, including imprisonment, repression and loss of life for many people.