DHAKA, Dec 20, 2023 (BSS) - Sammilita Sangskritik Jote today condemned the ill-efforts of obstructing the electoral process, intimidating voters and carrying out terrorist activities to foil the January-7 general elections.

The leaders of Sangskritik Jote at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the city today said in multi-party democratic system, all political parties and the citizens have the right to take part or not in voting, but no one has the right to prevent the interested people to join the polls.

Sammilita Sangskritik Jote President Golam Quddus chaired the press conference while General Secretary Ahkam Ullah and Pathanatok Parishad President Mizanur Rahman spoke at the event.
In the written statement, Golam Quddus said the 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) is scheduled to be held on January 7, 2024.

In Bangladesh, people want to perform their constitutional duties by participating in the elections in a joyous and festive mood, he said, adding that but sometimes unfortunately undemocratic forces unconstitutionally grabbed power and took a stand against the people's desires.

A free, fair, credible and peaceful election is the foundation of the democracy, Quddus said, adding that to serve that purpose, it is necessary for people from all corners and political parties to cooperate the Election Commission (EC) to hold an impartial national election in line with the constitution.

In this case, to keep the electoral process transparent and above controversy, he said, giving and receiving any positive opinion can make the electoral process more acceptable.

"But we are witnessing that some political parties, including BNP-Jamaat, are observing different programmes across the country demanding the general elections under a "caretaker government" which has already been abandoned as an ineffective and unconstitutional system," the Jote president said.

They are trying to create an inhumane and unstable situation in the country by carrying out violent activities in the name of hartal-blockade, he said, adding, a number of innocent people, including women and children, have already been killed by arson attacks in public transports, including trains, buses and trucks, and throwing petrol bombs while many people received injuries from these arson incidents.

"We also observed that these anti-democratic, anti Liberation War and anti-state evil forces are tarnishing the image of Bangladesh in the international arena by spreading falsehood and propaganda in order to implement their agenda," Quddus said.

They are instigating the foreigners to impose economic and other sanctions on Bangladesh, he said, adding, "We urge them to come out of such anti-state and suicidal activities".

The Jote president asked leaders and members of all district and upazila committees as well as cultural activists to take necessary initiatives to increase public participation to make this election successful, peaceful, neutral and acceptable.

"It is our responsibility to ensure massive voter turnout in the upcoming general elections by creating a mass awarness to defeat the evil forces that are against the democracy, Liberation War and cultural activities," Quddus said.
Sammilita Sangskritik Jote Joint General Secretary Ahmed Gias, Bangladesh Ganasangeet Samannay Parishad General Secretary Manzar Chowdhury Swit, Bangladesh Abritti Samannay Parishad's Presidium Member Rezina Wali Leena and Sammilita Sangskritik Jote Organizing Secretary Azharul Haque Azad were present at the press conference, among others.