Statement of Commonwealth secy gen contrary to reality: BNP

BNP has said the statement of the Commonwealth secretary general about Bangladesh's national election is contrary to the reality of the country.

The party made the reaction in a statement signed by its Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday.

In a statement on Friday, the Commonwealth secretary general urged all political and civic leaders of Bangladesh to play a role so that people can exercise their voting rights peacefully in a favorable environment.

Reacting to it, BNP said he (Commonwealth secretary general) missed many important points around the January 7 farcical election and his statement does not reflect Bangladesh's reality.

"We believe his statement is contrary to the desires of the pro-democratic people who have been struggling for a free, fair, participatory and credible election for around a decade," the BNP statement read.

KH/SU