Major political parties, including the ruling Awami League and BNP, will observe the Democracy Day on Saturday, marking the fall of autocratic ruler HM Ershad in 1990.

On December 6, 1990, military dictator Ershad stepped down in the face of a mass upsurge, and handed power over to a caretaker government ending his nine years of autocratic rule which began through grabbing power in a coup on March 24, 1982.

Different political parties and socio-cultural organisations have taken various programmes to mark the day.

BNP held a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club on Friday on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia have issued separate messages greeting the countrymen.

In her message, the Prime Minister said December 6 is a remarkable day in the history of reclaiming democracy.

Claiming that Awami League played a responsible role in protecting democracy and people’s voting rights in two decades since 1990, she said the scope for usurping power has been blocked with the 15th amendment to the constitution.

Hasina paid homage to those who laid down their lives to establish people’s democratic rights.

In her message, Khaleda Zia urged all to get united to resist the evil forces and give democracy a permanent shape.