Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the country’s democracy would have been taken away if she had not allowed her party members to run as independent candidates in last month’s election.
“If the elections had not been opened to all (AL members) then not only would the elections have been suspicious, but the democracy of the country would have also been hijacked,” he said.
The Prime Minister was giving her introductory speech at the extended meeting of the Awami League at her official residence Gana Bhavan.
He said that this election is important for maintaining the country’s status as a developing country.
“We should not forget the election manifesto announced before the elections to maintain this achievement. Every year during budget formulation we follow the election manifesto,” he said.