BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman urged voters to go to polling centres after performing Tahajjud prayers to ensure their voting rights in the upcoming national election.

“On February 12, everyone must go to the polling centres to restore voting rights. Perform Tahajjud prayers before heading to the centres, offer Fajr prayers there and then stand in line to cast your vote,” he said.

Tarique Rahman made the remarks while addressing an election rally at the Bhairab Municipal Stadium in Kishoreganj at around 12:30 AM on Thursday night.

He alleged that people’s voting rights had been taken away for the last 15 years, during which cases were filed against citizens and incidents of enforced disappearances and killings took place. Referring to mass protests on August 5, 2024, he said people had taken to the streets demanding the restoration of voting rights.

He also alleged that a fresh conspiracy was underway, claiming that supporters of a rival group were collecting ID card numbers and mobile financial service numbers, including bKash, particularly from women. “Those who dishonoured mothers and sisters in 1971 are behind such acts,” he alleged, urging party activists to remain vigilant against conspirators.

Addressing leaders and activists, Tarique Rahman said the national election would be held on February 12 and that every citizen has the right to vote. He said thousands of lives had been lost over the past 15 years, and after a long struggle, people had regained their voting rights. “This time, that right must be exercised,” he said, adding that voters should elect candidates who would work for the people.

Speaking on development issues, he said he had witnessed the poor condition of roads from Sylhet to Bhairab, adding that highways as well as district and upazila roads across the country were in a dilapidated state. He also pointed to shortages of medicines in hospitals and the growing unemployment problem.

Outlining BNP’s plans, he said a BNP-led government would introduce “family cards” for women from poor families and “agriculture cards” for farmers.

Emphasising the need for voting for the party’s election symbol, paddy sheaf, he said training facilities would be arranged for unemployed youth, with plans to establish training institutes in every district so young people could find employment at home and abroad.

He also pledged to introduce honorariums for imams of mosques and madrasas if BNP forms the government.

At the end of his speech, Tarique Rahman introduced BNP candidates for Kishoreganj’s six parliamentary constituencies and urged voters to ensure their victory through the ballot. “Elect them with your votes and hold them accountable for development and for solving your problems,” he said.

The rally was presided over by central BNP organising secretary and Kishoreganj district BNP president Shariful Alam.

Among those present were BNP nominees Mohammad Mazharul Islam for Kishoreganj-1 (Kishoreganj Sadar–Hossainpur), Advocate Md Jalal Uddin for Kishoreganj-2 (Katiadi–Pakundia), former education minister Dr Osman Faruk for Kishoreganj-3 (Karimganj–Tarail), and Syed Ehsanul Huda for Kishoreganj-5 (Bajitpur–Nikli), among others.

Meanwhile, BNP nominee for Kishoreganj-4 (Itna–Mithamain–Austagram), freedom fighter Advocate Fazlur Rahman, fell ill on his way to the Bhairab rally and was admitted to Bajitpur Jahurul Islam Medical College Hospital at around 5:30 PM.