Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu has warned that the country’s independence and sovereignty could be at risk if the upcoming national election is not conducted properly. Speaking on Saturday in front of the National Press Club, he said the February 12 parliamentary election is crucial for protecting democracy and national sovereignty. Dudu cautioned that failure to hold a fair election would bring severe consequences for the entire nation, not just the government.

He made the remarks during a protest organized by the Nationalist Alliance against gas price hikes and demanding the recovery of illegal weapons. Dudu said the government has less than a month left before the election and urged immediate steps to improve law and order so that voters can safely go to polling centers. He criticized the authorities for not taking adequate measures despite knowing the situation.

Dudu also linked recent killings in Dhaka and other areas to government negligence and called for the rapid recovery of both legal and illegal arms to ensure a credible election process.