BNP standing committee member Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain on Wednesday warned that calls to block national elections bear the “footsteps of authoritarianism,” declaring that the people of Bangladesh will not be cowed into submission.

Speaking to reporters after placing wreaths at the grave of BNP founder and slain president Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Zahid accused opponents of the electoral process of undermining democracy and plotting to seize power through undemocratic means.

“We hear talk about stopping the election. Those making such threats are broadcasting the sound of conspiracy and authoritarianism,” Zahid said, adding that the Chief Adviser has already instructed the Election Commission to conduct the polls by February.

Rejecting proposals for proportional representation (PR) voting, he argued that Bangladeshis neither understand nor practice the system, noting that major democracies such as the US, UK, and India do not use it for national elections.

“The people want to choose their representatives directly. Those who dream of back-door power talk about PR. The public is not with those who threaten to derail elections,” he asserted.

Zahid also condemned the rise of political intimidation and mob violence. “Where is this culture taking the country? History shows no regime has succeeded in silencing the people — not even through abductions, killings, or repression. Such rulers have always met tragic ends. It is time to ensure an environment conducive to free elections,” he said.

The BNP leader was accompanied by newly elected leaders of the Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB), the party’s medical wing, who joined him in offering prayers for the Zia family and the nation.

DAB president Professor Dr. Harun Al Rashid called the association’s recent internal polls a “milestone,” pledging to work toward a reliable healthcare system.

Senior BNP and DAB figures including Professor Dr. Farhad Halim Donar, Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Professor AKM Azizul Haque, Dr. Abdus Shakur Khan, Dr. MA Selim, Dr. Sirajul Islam, Dr. Mosaddeq Hossain Bishwas Dambel, Dr. Erfanul Haque Siddiqi, Dr. Fakhruzzaman Fakhrul, Dr. Atikul Islam, Dr. Adnan Hasan Masud, Dr. Sheikh Farhad, Dr. Zahedul Kabir Zahid, and Dr. Galib Hasan were present.

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