(BSS) - BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said party Chairman Tarique Rahman`s scheduled visit to the northern region has been postponed at the request of the Election Commission (EC).

He said it had been decided that BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman would visit several districts in the northern region from January 11 to pay homage to national leader Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani and the martyrs of the 2024 July uprising, including martyr Abu Sayeed, among others.

"In this context, the BNP has announced the postponement of the chairman`s tour following a request from the Election Commission," Fakhrul said.

The BNP secretary general made the remarks while talking to the media after a meeting of the party`s National Standing Committee at the chairman`s political office in Gulshan this evening.

Mirza Fakhrul said a national election is scheduled to be held next month, but a certain quarter is trying to create unrest and question the election process.

He said Osman Haidi was shot dead and that leaders of different political parties, particularly several BNP leaders, have been shot in various places. He also mentioned that former member secretary of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal, Musabbir, was shot dead a few days ago.

"If such killings continue, the electoral environment in the country will be destroyed," he said, urging the government and the Election Commission to take all necessary measures to ensure a conducive environment for the election.

Informing that Tarique Rahman has been elected BNP Chairman in accordance with the party constitution, Mirza Fakhrul said an emergency meeting of the National Standing Committee was held under his chairmanship.

"The meeting expressed satisfaction that Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has assumed the responsibilities of the Chairman as per the party constitution and everyone prayed for his success in leading the party," he added.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman presided over the meeting. Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and National Standing Committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Begum Selina Rahman and Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed were present.