India, Feb. 10 -- Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday delivered a nationally televised address, calling the February 12 general election a historic opportunity to restore democracy and return state power to the people after years of what he described as authoritarian rule. Speaking at length to the nation, Rahman said Bangladesh had reached a decisive moment in its democratic transition.

Referring to Article Seven of the Constitution, which states that all powers of the Republic belong to the people, he alleged that a "fallen, defeated, and expelled fascist clique" had stripped citizens of their political rights and captured state institutions. He said the upcoming election would allow the people t...