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Scope for people to pick their govt

Hasina tells nation as AL chief

Staff Correspondent
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday claimed that the January 5 polls would create an opportunity for people to form a government of their choice.
"People's empowerment is the first precondition for establishing democracy. The parliament has brought about a permanent electoral system as in other democracies to put an end to usurpation of power by unconstitutional means," she said.
"The election will be held under an independent and powerful Election Commission, not under any unelected person," Hasina, who is also prime minister, said in her address to the nation ahead of the January 5 parliamentary election.
State-run BTV and Bangladesh Betar aired the speech.
Her statement came nearly two weeks after 154 candidates, including 127 from the ruling AL, were elected uncontested as they had no other contenders in their constituencies.
The party now needs only 24 seats to have a majority in the 10th parliament.
In her speech, the AL chief highlighted her government's achievements and urged people to vote for the boat, the party symbol, in Sunday’s polls.
Rolling out her party's future plans, she said if the AL was voted back to power, it would put emphasis on establishing good governance, democratisation and decentralisation of power.
"We want to establish peace, discipline and stability by curbing militancy, terrorism and communalism."
The AL president also vowed to ensure accountability of the lawmakers and transparency in their activities in and outside parliament.
She also promised to protect the dignity and independence of the judiciary. "The process of establishing the rule of law and human rights will be expedited."
The local government system will be made more effective through a decentralisation of power, said Hasina.
The AL chief pledged that power genera-
tion would be raised to 16,000 megawatts by 2016 and 24,000 megawatts by 2021. And there would be electricity in every household within the next five years.
If the AL returns to power, it will complete the two big power projects - the coal-fired power plant in Rampal and the nuclear power plant in Rooppur, said the prime minister.
Her government will implement the Women Development Policy-2011 and refrain from enacting any laws that conflict with the Qur'an and Sunnah. It will also see to it that the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord is implemented in full.
The media will enjoy full freedom and the Information Commission will be made more effective. A policy would also be framed to make sure that the online and social media play their role responsibly, she said.
Hasina also pledged to make Bangladesh a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed country by 2041.
She also said her government would not allow any militants, terrorists and separatists to take shelter in the country.
Hasina urged all voters to exercise their franchise in Sunday's election and elect candidates of their choice.