Next elections by Dec '18 as per constitution: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday addressed the nation on completion of the fourth year of her second consecutive term in office, saying the incumbent government would go ahead evaluating its success and failure of the past, reports BSS.

“We do not want to cling to the past, but would not forget it either. We will move forward by evaluating the successes and failures of the past and correcting the mistakes and faults,” she said in her televised address this evening. 

The premier said the country now was set on the track of the development highway when there was no scope for looking back and expected the present and future generation to take the responsibility for clearing all obstacles to the way of prosperity and progress.

Sheikh Hasina urged the people to take the right decision in coming days remembering what the country's position was ten years ago. 

She expressed her firm conviction that all registered political parties would take part in the next general election to help uphold the country's democratic process and noted that the election commission by now earned people's confidence. 

“The Honourable president constituted the new Election Commission through a search committee. This commission has by now conducted several local body elections including two city corporation polls,” the premier said.

But she simultaneously warned people against a possible conspiracy to foil the next election saying a vested group might try to create a chaotic situation ahead of the polls and “so, people should remain careful”. 

The premier said in line with the constitution the next election was set to be held at the end of 2018 and ahead of the polls an election time government will be formed and "that government will provide all assistance to the election commission”. 

"”People want peace. They will no longer accept any move for elections boycott and destruction of public property in the name of movement,” she said.

In her 26-minute address the premier sought national unity for future Bangladesh saying “Let all irrespective of party and opinions join hands to build a developed, happy and prosperous Bangladesh unitedly for the future generation”.

The premier said 47 years elapsed since the independence and now "we want to live as a dignified nation keeping our head high in the world community". 

“If it is your expectation, we will always remain aside you,” she said.