Hasina Unlikely to Return to Bangladesh in Next 10 Years: Speaker

BHOLA, Bangladesh — Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram has said he sees little possibility of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returning to Bangladesh within the next 10 years, citing his political experience.

“I see no possibility of Sheikh Hasina returning even in the next 10 years,” the Speaker told journalists at the district circuit house in Bhola. Commenting on electoral reforms, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said the Awami League government had created an environment in which honest, capable and politically neutral individuals found it difficult to participate in elections. He stressed the need for fundamental reforms to the country’s electoral system to ensure broader participation and greater fairness in the democratic process.

According to the Speaker, people who may not be wealthy but enjoy popularity and public acceptance should have the opportunity to contest elections. He called on the Election Commission to introduce an electoral framework that would enable ordinary citizens to participate in the electoral process without being disadvantaged by financial limitations. Hafiz Uddin Ahmad also emphasized that the upcoming local government elections must be free, fair and impartial.

“Elections were not held fairly over the last 17 years. So the upcoming local government elections will be held freely, fairly and impartially,” he said. His remarks came amid discussions about electoral reforms and the need to restore public confidence in the country’s election process.

Highlighting Bhola’s natural gas resources, the Speaker said the district has substantial gas reserves that could be comparable to Bangladesh’s current national reserves. He expressed hope that further exploration would reveal additional deposits. He also called for greater attention to the needs of Bhola’s residents, arguing that the district’s natural resources should benefit the local population.

“The people of Bhola have been suffering for a long time. Gas is the rightful right of the people of Bhola,” he said. Hafiz Uddin Ahmad made the remarks while concluding a three-day visit to his constituency, Lalmohan-Tazumuddin. He later departed Bhola for Dhaka.