BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has called for joint efforts to restore democracy in Bangladesh.

In a statement marking International Democracy Day, he said, “The foundation of rebuilding the state must be free, fair, and participatory elections. Independence of the judiciary and media, along with full application of democratic principles, is essential.”

Rahman alleged that democracy has been “under siege” for the past 15 years due to what he called “Awami fascism.”

In a separate statement, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that sustained democratic practice is the best safeguard against authoritarianism. While July–August’s historic, blood-stained movement brought victory, he noted that full democracy is yet to be achieved. Ensuring continuity of fair elections, he stressed, is key to institutionalizing democracy.