Leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party at a discussion on Wednesday called on the interim government headed by Professor Muhammad Yunus to hold general elections as early as possible for democratic transition of the country.
The Bangladesh Crime Reporters Society organised the discussion at the National Press Club in the capital Dhaka to mark World Press Freedom Day observed on May 3.
BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan said that holding the general elections as early as possible was required for democratic transition of the country.
He said that reforms of constitution and ruling system were a continuous process and in the name of reforms, delaying national election would not be acceptable.
If voted to power, the BNP will make the reforms after the national elections, he said.
He also called on all political parties to maintain the national unity for implementing the spirits of July uprising.
Barkatullah Bulu, vice-president of the BNP, said that their party would introduce democratic rule in the country, if voted to power in the next general elections.
For the introduction of democratic rule, freedom of the press is a must and the BNP would ensure press freedom, he said.
Bangladesh Crime Reporters Society president SM Abdul Halim Basar chaired the discussion.