President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that ensuring regular practice, along with free, fair and impartial elections and adequate political space for opposition parties and rivals, is essential to making democracy effective.

He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with a delegation led by Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam at Bangabhaban on Sunday (October 4).

The president said, “Democracy is a culture that gradually develops through regular practice. For this, free, fair and impartial elections are essential. At the same time, adequate space must be given to opponents and opposition parties to make democracy effective. That is the beauty of democracy. Democracy must be allowed to function effectively at its own pace.”

During the meeting, the president described Dhaka University as not only the country’s leading educational institution but also a centre of politics, history, heritage and culture. He called for further improving the quality of education at the university and taking necessary steps to bring it among the world’s leading universities.

During the meeting, the vice-chancellor congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on being elected president and briefed him on the overall academic activities of Dhaka University.

The vice-chancellor formally invited the president to attend the university’s upcoming 54th convocation as chancellor. The president accepted the invitation and assured that he would attend the event.

The president’s military secretary, secretary and press secretary, along with Dhaka University’s pro-vice-chancellor and treasurer, were present at the meeting.