<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday said that elections would be conducted in line with the constitution.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said that the focus should not be on who participates in the elections or who does not as the Awami League is committed to ensuring free and fair elections.</div><div><br></div><div>He made the statement during an inaugural meeting of the party’s election manifesto committee held at the central office at Bangabandhu Avenue on Thursday morning.</div><div><br></div><div>"We must follow the path of democracy in the light of reality. We have to overcome difficult challenges in the days ahead,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Referring to Joe Biden's statement that he would contest the elections because the democracy in the United States would be in jeopardy if Trump returns to power, Quader said that age should not be a concern in such matters.</div><div><br></div><div>"I say today that we must empower Sheikh Hasina to protect Bangladesh's democracy. If BNP comes to power democracy will be in danger. We must take action,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>“By 2026, we need to uplift our underdeveloped country. Above all, we must set our sights on 2040. We've achieved a Digital Bangladesh, now it's time to make it a Smart Bangladesh,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Awami League presidium member Dr Abdur Razzaque and its Information and Research Secretary Dr Selim Mahmud, among others, attended the meeting. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>