Awami League President, Sheikh Hasina has made an impassioned appeal to the people to return her party to power for a straight fourth term by casting votes in the upcoming January 7 general election.
Urging people to cast vote, the Bangladesh Prime Minister said that she is seeking another five-year term in office to make the development sustainable, work for improving people’s living standard and build a developed smart Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty.
“Today I’ve appeared before you to ask for votes in favor of the symbol, boat,” she said in a televised address to the nation, her final campaign speech before the election. The speech was aired Today at 7 pm.
“The call has come, it’s time to take the road”, Hasina said quoting from popular poet Sunkanta Bhattacharya.
PM Sheikh Hasina said during her Awami League government’s three consecutive terms (2009-2023) the country has witnessed the continuation of a “democratic trend and stability” in the process of building a people’s welfare-oriented society based on “equality and justice.”
“If we can form the government again by getting your valuable votes, we will be able to continue with the implementation of the programs taken by us,” she said adding that this will give “us an opportunity to further improve your living condition.”
Sheikh Hasina thanked people of the country for giving her Awami League an opportunity to serve them by voting for the boat symbol in the past.
She also said whatever she has achieved in this long journey “would not have been possible without your support,” she said.
Speaking humbly, Sheikh Hasina said, “If I have made any mistakes along the way, my request to you is to look at the matter in the eyes of forgiveness. If I can form the government again, I will get a chance to correct the mistakes. Give me an opportunity to serve you by voting for the ‘boat’ in the January 7 election.”
She requested the people to keep confidence on her as she considers them as her family.
“Let’s all make this Bangladesh a smart Golden Bangla and fulfill the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she appealed to the people.
The PM urged all political parties and institutions that believe in democracy and the rule of law not to fuel any idiosyncratic ideas that will disrupt the constitutional process of the country.
PM Assures Free, Fair and Impartial Elections
The ruling party chief said that her party is expecting a free, fair and impartial election on January 7.
In this connection, she said that this is the first time in Bangladesh that the Election Commission has been formed under a law passed by the parliament.
“The Election Commission has been given financial independence. The administration and law enforcement agencies are now placed under the Election Commission,” she said.
The prime minister also said that the EC is conducting the election independently.
“Our government is giving all kinds of support to the Election Commission for conducting fair and peaceful elections,” she said.
She mentioned the Awami League is party of the mass people and whenever it comes to power it ensures economic and social development of the country.
The government has ensured food, safety, health services, housing, education, and employment to the people besides making massive infrastructure development, she said.
PM Eyes 12 Priorities for The Socio-Economic Development
Talking about the Awami League’s election manifesto, Sheikh Hasina mentioned 12 priorities for the socio-economic development of the country.
These are:
1. To protect and promote the practice of democratic system at all levels.
2. Making every effort to keep prices within the purchasing power of all.
3. Ensuring employability education and youth employment.
4. Building smart Bangladesh based on modern technology.
5. Mechanization of integrated agricultural system and taking measures to preserve the produce with the aim of increasing production.
6. Development of agricultural products and food processing industries.
7. To create employment opportunities by developing infrastructure and industries up to the village level.
8. To increase efficiency and capacity of bank insurance and financial sector.
9. Making health services affordable to low-income people.
10. Ensuring individual and social security by including all in the universal pension system.
11. Making law enforcement agencies efficient in the use of modern technology and ensuring their accountability.
12. Eradication of communalism and all forms of terrorism and militancy.
15 Years of Stratospheric Success and Growth
Over the past 15 years, Bangladesh has experienced remarkable growth under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership. She highlighted a 7.25 percent overall growth, a fivefold increase in per capita income, and significant expansions in budget size, Annual Development Program, GDP size, foreign exchange reserve, export earnings, remittance, and foreign investment. The prime minister emphasized the decline in poverty from 41.51 percent to 18.7 percent, a fivefold reduction in extreme poverty, and improvements in drinking water coverage, sanitary latrines, infant mortality, maternal mortality, and average human lifespan.
Infrastructure development was a priority, with an eightfold increase in power generation capacity, 100 percent electricity consumption rate, and the construction of key projects such as the Padma Bridge, metro rail in Dhaka, elevated expressway, subway, Rooppur nuclear power plant, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal, ‘Bangabandhu Tunnel,’ and Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar rail route. Hasina proudly mentioned the launch of ‘Bangabandhu Satellite-1.’
Economically, Bangladesh excelled, with a GDP increase from $102 billion in 2009 to over $450 billion in 2023. The ruling party chief acknowledged a sevenfold rise in bank loans, addressing concerns over bad loans and criticizing misleading information spread by critics. Hasina emphasized the transformation in people’s quality of life and their aspirations for a better future.
In terms of foreign policy, she advocated for peace, expressing solidarity with Palestine and Ukraine while condemning ongoing conflicts. Sheikh Hasina outlined a stark contrast between the Bangladesh of 15 years ago and the present, emphasizing socio-economic development and improved quality of life.
17 Party Leaders Made Televised Speech Before Nation So Far
Leaders of 17 parties who so far delivered televised addressed at the state broadcaster, Bangladesh Television were Ganafront Chairman Md Zakir Hossain, Bangladesh Congress Secretary General Advocate Md Yarul Islam, Bangladesh Sangskitik Muktijote Chief Abu Layes Munna, Sammyabadi Dal of Bangladesh General Secretary Dilip Barua, Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF) President SM Abul Kalam Azad, Islami Oikkyajote General Secretary Mufti Foyjullah, Bangladesh Islami Front Chairman MA Matin, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon Organizing Secretary Mufti Sultan Mohiuddin, Bangladesh Jatiya Party Secretary General Zafar Ahmmad Joy, Bangladesh Peoples Party Chairman Sheikh Salauddin Salu, Jatiya Party-JP Secretary Sheikh Shahidul Islam, Bangladesh Tarikat Federation Vice-Chairman Syed Abu Daud Masnabi Haider, Bangladesh Supreme Party Chairman Syed Shahjada Saifuddin Ahmad Maizbhandari, Islami Front Bangladesh Senior Joint Secretary General Khaja Md Arifur Rahman, Jasod (JSD) General Secretary Shirin Akhter, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh Secretary General Major (Rtd) Abdul Mannan, and Bangladesh Workers Party Pollitt Bureau Member Nur Ahmad Bakul.
