The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will unveil its election manifesto on Friday (February 6) ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election, according to party Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan.
The manifesto will be formally launched at a grand ceremony at a hotel in the capital. Eminent citizens, ambassadors, and high commissioners posted in Dhaka, as well as representatives and diplomats of various international organisations, are expected to attend the programme. Nazrul Islam Khan disclosed the information on Wednesday (February 4).
Party sources said the manifesto will place the highest priority on BNP’s announced 31-point agenda, the July Charter, and the aspirations of young voters. People-centric and everyday services — such as the Family Card, Health Card, and Farmer Card — will receive special emphasis. The manifesto will also outline commitments to restoring democracy, ensuring judicial independence, decentralising administration, protecting human rights, strengthening the anti-corruption framework, and setting out specific pledges on the economy and foreign policy. Special priority will be pledged for Islamic scholars, minorities, and farmers.
In line with the July Charter, the manifesto will emphasise plans to ensure full independence and neutrality of constitutional and state institutions, including the Election Commission, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Anti-Corruption Commission. Commitments will also be made to the development of Qawmi madrasas, the establishment of an Islamic research fund, the modernisation of religious education, and ensuring an unhindered environment for religious practice.
National issues such as environmental protection — through re-excavation of canals and rivers nationwide, planting 250 million trees, and improving waste management — will also feature prominently. Plans will be outlined to generate employment for around 45 million youths aged 18 to 33, enhance technical skills, and introduce unemployment allowances. The manifesto will pledge the formation of special tribunals to prevent the grabbing of minority properties, the creation of security cells, state support during religious festivals, and strict measures to prevent communal attacks.
Targeting the youth, BNP is set to include large-scale employment commitments, including the creation of 10 million new jobs, the establishment of start-up funds, IT training programmes, opening new overseas labour markets, and forming an anti-narcotics task force. With farmers in focus, the manifesto will also pledge to reduce the prices of agricultural inputs, ensure fair prices for produce, simplify access to agricultural loans, and introduce transparent systems for procuring paddy and rice.
The manifesto will further address women’s safety, equal opportunities in the workplace, the creation of a women entrepreneurs’ fund, an increase in maternity allowances, and the establishment of fast-track tribunals to curb violence against women. Drawing inspiration from the UK model, BNP will also pledge to develop a “creative economy” in Bangladesh and make a political commitment to generate employment for 10 million people within 18 months of assuming office.