Bangladesh Awami League announced it's Election Manifesto, 2014

"Our final goal is, people's socio-economic emancipation and build a poverty and hunger-free developed prosperous country," president of the party and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said while announcing 26-point manifesto titled: "Marching Ahead Bangladesh: Road to Peace, Democratic Development and Prosperity."

Senior party leaders, members of civil society, freedom fighters, representatives of professional bodies, business leader, diplomats of different countries were present on the occasion at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).
Sheikh Hasina expressed her firm resolve to continue the pace of development of progress of the country in the coming years that her party pursued during her current tenure.

She said, all incomplete projects and development programmes initiated by the government would be completed at due time while priority would be given to those projects awaits finance.

Pointing out her party's plan to implement Vision 2021, Awami League chief said, the long-term perspective plan 2010-21 would be reviewed to make it consistent with the Election Manifesto- 2014.

She said, the sixth five-year plan will be executed by 2015 while seventh five-year plan will be prepared. "Per capita income would increase to US$ 1500 from current US$ 1040 after the execution of the long-term perspective plan," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said, power generation in the country would be increased to 24,000 megawatt by 2021 while contribution of industry to national revenue would shoot up to 40 percent from current 25 percent.

Extending her thanks and gratitude to the people for their overwhelming support to Awami League in the past, she said, "Like past, I want your unqualified support and beg vote for 'Boat' to move forward the country ending all violence, clash and anarchy."

Awami League chief said, her party if elected, would take steps for ensuring good governance and decentralization of the administration strengthening the local governments. "Peace, discipline and stability will be restored at all level of the society through elimination of militancy, terrorism and communalism," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said, the Jatiya Sangsad would be made into an
effective body to protect the constitution, democracy and democratic institutions. "Accountability of the every parliament member would be ensured in the parliament and outside," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said, the trial of the war criminals would be completed and their punishment would be executed. "The accused persons to be found guilty for killing people, burning holy Quran, destroying public property, illegal tree cutting and other crimes in the name of movement to foil the trial of the war criminals, would be brought to justice," she announced.

She said, religious rights of every people would be ensured and the state would treat equally with every citizen irrespective of their religion, culture, gender and social status.

Saying that an ombudsman would be appointed, she said, Bangladesh Human Rights Commission would be made into an effective body. Independence and dignity of the judiciary will be consolidated, she said.

In the 26-point manifesto, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina elaborated the plans to be accomplished by Awami League if the party is elected in the next election slated for January 5, 2014.

She said, steps would be taken to ensure good governance, democratization and decentralization of power, improving living standard of the people, keeping the prices of essentials stable and fighting poverty.

More attention would be given to industrialization, electricity generation and energy, socio-economic development programmes, social safety nets, development of agriculture and rural economy, education and human resources, she said.

Science and technology, health, women empowerment, gender equality, welfare of children, juveniles and youths and development of the communications sectors would also get due attention, she added.

Sheikh Hasina assured that steps would continue for increasing the income of the people and improve their living standard. Highest priority would be given on market monitoring while Consumers Rights would be given institutional shape.

She said, a strategic and coordinated industrial policy would be prepared. Special economic zones and projects for setting up industrial areas would be executed at quickest possible time.

She said, Social Safety Net programmes would be strengthened while free distribution of food and allowances for poor, widows and age-old people would continue.

In the communication sector, the Prime Minister said, construction of the Padma Bridge would be completed on priority basis. Importance would also be given to the construction of a tunnel under Karnaphuli River in Chittagong and construction of Paira Port in Patuakhali.

Steps would also be taken for construction of the second Jamuna bridge and second Padma bridge, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said, Dhaka-New York flight would resume in 2014 while steps would be taken for construction of the proposed Bangabandhu International Airport.

The Prime Minister said, Bangladesh, despite the accumulated problems, crisis, conspiracy and numerous impediments of the past, has been on the highway of development and prosperity since 2009.

"Now we are looking beyond 2021, extending our view to the year 2050, when Bangladesh will be recognized as a well civilized and developed country with all its acquired virtues," she said.

The Prime Minister said, good governance and empowerment of the people shall be the guiding principle of progress of Bangladesh. "Empowerment of women, exclusive arrangement and programmes for the terminal people, expansion of education facilities and communal harmony shall be the main driving creed,"
she said.

Sheikh Hasina said, the lion's share of government budgetary allocations shall be earmarked for rural areas. A decentralized administrative system will become the hallmark of Bangladesh.

She said, Awami League has kept the pledge the party made to people before 2008 election. "We performed with sincerity and trust to implement the programmes in order to overcome the problems and crisis that had been created earlier," she said.

The Prime Minister said, in many cases, her government exceeded the targets of achievement over the last five years which were possible due to the unstinted support of people from all walks of life and their toil and sweat.

Attaching her profound confidence in young people of the country, Sheikh Hasina said, "Many achievements were also possible due to the involvement of our meritorious young people and their inspired participation in nation building. The future of our motherland shall be determined by vibrant, hardworking and fully active youths."

She said, "Today we are able to spell out loudly the fact that coming out of the darkness of the past Bangladesh has now stepped towards a bright, resplendent and sparkling future. We are all co- travelers in the path of life."

The Prime Minister said, "We have pledged to create a hunger and poverty-free developed Bangladesh by 2021. We have created a conducive condition to follow that path of progress from which no
one can deter us."

Urging people to give Awami League another opportunity to serve them, Sheikh Hasina said, "We trust that you will keep the pace of development and progress unabated and help push the country forward to the path of peace, democracy, development and prosperity."

"If the people take the right decision, then within five years Bangladesh shall be able to produce food in excess of its own needs and food security will be a certainty, the curse of malnutrition will disappear, the shame of poverty will vanish, illiteracy will fade away, educated and trained human resource will abound, the base of the industrial civilization will be created," she said.

"Electricity will reach every household, unemployment will be reduced to zero with crores of young people getting employed, health care for all will be ensured, trade and commerce will expand significantly, communication system will completely be transformed, planned cities and townships will grow up, the capital city of Dhaka will be free of traffic jam and shall turn into a uniquely beautiful mega city and digital Bangladesh will step into prosperity and progress," she added.

Sheikh Hasina said, "Politics will be free from enmity, violence and confrontations and Bangladesh will come out of the morass of corruption and criminalization. A tolerant democratic system will then be a reality."

The Prime Minister said "Within next five years we shall present to the nation our vision-the new Perspective Plan the Rupakalpa-2041. In the year 2041 Bangladesh shall transcend the stage of middle-income country."

>> Election Manifesto 2014