Dhaka, Feb. 14 -- BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stated that it is up to the people of the country to determine whether the Awami League should be completely banned or barred from participating in the upcoming national elections, in accordance with democratic principles.

"I have said before that the people will decide. We have consistently maintained that we are a liberal democratic party. We believe in democracy, trust its principles and practices, and remain committed to them-just as we have in the past," Fakhrul said on Thursday.

His remarks came during a press briefing when a journalist sought his response to the UN Human Rights Office's call to refrain from banning any political party.

He emphasized that the...