<div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Acting Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique Rahman today underscored the need for holding fair elections for continuation of democracy.<br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We must hold a free and fair election aiming to keep the country’s democracy continue,” he said in a message marking Shaheed Jehad Day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nazir Uddin Ahmed Jihad, a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activist of Ullapara upazila in Sirajganj, was shot dead in Dhaka on October 10, 1990, during the anti-Ershad movement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Election time non-party caretaker government is the prime condition to hold a free and fair election,” Tarique Rahman said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Democracy doesn’t only mean the elections, but restoring peoples freedom and fundamental rights,” he added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Being imbued with the spirit of Shaheed Jehad, we must work together to restore democracy and protect country’s independence and sovereignty,” he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In doing this, he said, “We have to prevent all conspiracies being orchestrated by evil force at home and abroad”, the BNP leader said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Showing deep respect to Jehad, BNP acting chairperson said the sacrifice made by BNP activist during the movement against Ershad rule on October 10 in 1990, is unforgettable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The movement was for re-establishing the multi-party democracy, freedom of speech and press, Tarique Rahman said in his message.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">BNP acting chairman said, tyrant Ershad had killed the democracy and that’s why Jehad embraced martyrdom to restore democracy with his firm determination.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;“His soul will suffer immensely if we fail to realize his dream,” Tarique noted.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>