BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today urged all political parties to participate in the upcoming national election, putting aside minor differences, to help restore the democratic process in the country.

"I call upon all political parties to join the coming election by putting aside small differences so that together we can bring back democracy in the country and return to the democratic system," he said.

He made the call while speaking at an event marking the 21st founding anniversary of the Daily Nayadiganta at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital.

Fakhrul said he believes the election will be held on time in February next year.

"We also think that through an acceptable election to all, we will get an opportunity to return to a democratic system."

On behalf of the BNP, the BNP leader paid tribute to all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives last year for freedom and democracy.

The BNP leader expressed hope that the reform issues have already been settled, as political parties agreed upon them and signed the National July Charter.

He alleged that around 60 lakh political leaders and activists faced false cases, about 20,000 were killed, and 1,700 others were victims of enforced disappearance during the 'fascist rule' of the Awami League.

Recalling the post-Liberation War period, Fakhrul said the media, particularly the press, faced severe repression.

"After the establishment of Baksal in 1975, all newspapers were shut down. I remember that many journalists became unemployed, and some even worked as hawkers in front of Baitul Mukarram, as there were no newspapers left."

After the political changeover in 1975, he said, BNP founder and late President Ziaur Rahman was the first to move away from the one-party system and introduce multi-party democracy, ensuring press freedom.

"We must not forget that the key reforms began during his (Zia's) time and were later carried forward by former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia," Fakhrul added.