BSS)- BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has thanked the Election Commission (EC) for creating opportunity for expatriate Bangladeshis to cast their votes in the upcoming national election.

He said, "Expatriate Bangladeshis have been demanding the right and opportunity to vote in national elections for a long time. In the upcoming election, a significant part of their hope is going to be fulfilled.

This time, for the first time, around 5 million expatriates from various countries are getting the opportunity to vote in the upcoming national election.

I sincerely congratulate and commend the Election Commission on behalf of our party for introducing the opportunity for expatriates to exercise their voting rights."

Tarique Rahman made the remarks as the chief guest while virtually inaugurating the online payment system for renewal of primary membership and enrolment of new members of the party from abroad.

The event was held at the La Vita Banquet Hall at the Lakeshore Hotel in Gulshan with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the chair.

Tareque Rahman further said, "I consider this opportunity for expatriates to vote as a respectful recognition of the rights and contributions of expatriate Bangladeshis to their country.

Since it is the first time the opportunity to vote from abroad has been created, the voting process might seem a bit complicated to some.

However, if the BNP comes to power, we will certainly take steps to simplify the system."

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, Selima Rahman, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan and Convener of the BNP Media Cell Prof Dr. Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel also spoke on the occasion.

Expressing concern over the safety of women in the country, Tarique Rahman said, "Women constitute nearly half of our population, both at home and abroad. Yet, the indifference of the state and society towards women`s security seems to have become more pronounced lately... A society where women and children are unsafe certainly cannot be considered a civilized society."

"I want to draw attention of all people, from your respective positions, talk to our daughters, mothers and sisters, create local-level proposals regarding their issues and seriously think about ensuring women`s safety," added Tarique Rahman.

He said BNP is a trustworthy political institution but it faced local and foreign conspiracies several times.

"Since its inception, BNP has been a victim of domestic and foreign conspiracies at various times.

However, due to the wholehearted support of the country`s democracy and freedom-loving people for the BNP, the conspirators have been rejected most of the time. And the reality is that the BNP is a trusted political institution among the pro-democracy populace," he said.

Tarique Rahman noted propaganda and foul play aimed at preventing the BNP`s victory in the upcoming national election have begun to surface.

"The defeated and fugitive dictator established fascism in the country solely to prevent the BNP`s victory. They have completely destroyed the country`s electoral system over the past 15 years.

It is a matter of concern and surprise that even in the absence of a declared fascist state, organized propaganda and foul play to stop the BNP`s victory are now becoming visible."

Tareque Rahman said that during the rule of the defeated and fugitive dictator, the public lost interest in the national election. But under the current interim government, public curiosity is growing in some areas.

Tarique commented the BNP will support and allocate some seats to those who stood by the party during the anti-fascist movement.

"Even though the BNP has multiple qualified and popular candidates in every parliamentary constituency in the country, it is certainly not possible to nominate every single person.

The BNP has decided to support candidates from different political parties who were our street companions in the anti-fascist movement.

Due to this reality, some BNP party candidates may be deprived of nomination in some parliamentary constituencies," he said.

However, he urged everyone to accept the decision, whatever it may be, and work together in unity.

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, Selima Rahman, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan and Convener of the BNP Media Cell Prof Dr. Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel spoke at the event, among others.