Online Desk:  BNP Vice Chairman BNP Vice-chairman Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed on Wednesday lamented the poor voter turnout in the first phase of upazila elections, attributing it to the alleged destruction of the country’s electoral system.

“The televisions are depicting a troubling scenario where polling centres remain empty during today’s (Wednesday’s) upazila polls. Why is this situation happening?” he said.

Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also deplored that people now do not go to the polling stations as they cannot exercise their right to franchise to elect the representatives of their choice.

“Why can’t people cast their votes? Why have people’s democratic rights been obliterated? Why is there no rule of law in the country? Why are people deprived of their fundamental rights? Because they (govt) have destroyed the electoral system,” he observed.

Hafiz said Bangalees have been electing their leaders through direct voting since 1973 in a festive mood. “But democracy in the country is now in exile … the voting system has collapsed,” he stated.

Some freedom fighters under the banner of “The Freedom Fighters of the Battle Field’ arranged the discussion marking the first death anniversary of Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder and freedom fighter Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury.

Hafiz said the freedom fighters, including Dr Zafrullah, fought during the Liberation War in 1971 to achieve the goal of establishing social values, human dignity, equality and social justice. “But these things have vanished from Bangladesh due to the current regime’s misrule.”

Recalling Dr Zafrullah’s contributions to the country and his humble and unpretentious character, the BNP leader bemoaned that the country’s people and the young generation are forgetting Dr Zafrullah, who should be their role model.

He highlighted the brutal and barbaric attacks by the Israeli forces in Palestine’s Gaza, regretting that the students and young generation in Bangladesh are not registering their protest against it. “While protests rage even in America, we, claiming to be Muslims, fail to protest. Due to continued suppression, killings, and corruption, we have transformed into an lifeless nation. No longer do we witness the fiery spirit of 1971.”

The BNP leader said the students are now least bothered about public issues as they now only think of making money and taking benefits of power.