The people of the country have lost their voting rights, said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
"Today even after 52 years, we are still sacrificing lives for democracy. We have lost our right to vote and speak," he said.
The BNP secretary general made the statement while speaking to media after placing wreath at the National Memorial in Savar, on the outskirts of the capital, marking the 53rd Independence and National Day.
Mirza Fakhrul said, "BNP men will continue movement to bring back democracy and voting rights."
"Bangladesh's freedom has been achieved through armed struggle. We dreamed and hoped that Bangladesh would be a democratic state. Unfortunately, it did not happen," he added.