Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, today (Monday) said the people of Bangladesh have never supported autocracy and have repeatedly sacrificed their lives for democracy and their rights.

He made the remarks when a delegation led by Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Secretary General Anda Filip met him at his office here.

The Speaker said the people of Bangladesh are democracy-loving and did not hesitate to make supreme sacrifices during the 1971 Liberation War to restore democracy and establish their rights.

"Although we achieved victory in the Liberation War, democracy was not established," he said, adding that independent Bangladesh emerged after a nine-month-long bloody war, but democracy remained elusive.

He said democracy was later introduced in Bangladesh through the leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of independence and one of the most popular presidents in the country's history.

The Speaker said the national elections held in 2008, 2014, 2018 and 2024 were "farcical" and undermined the people's democratic rights.

He said the 2024 mass uprising led by students and the people brought an end to autocratic rule in the country, said a press release of parliament secretariat.

"The latest national parliamentary election was one of the freest, most competitive and fairest elections in the history of Bangladesh," he said.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said the 13th Jatiya Sangsad is discharging its responsibilities as a reflection of the democratic hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh.

IPU Secretary General Anda Filip said the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh had fulfilled the aspirations of its people.

She said democratic reforms and amendments would help fulfil the country's responsibility to future generations.

She said establishing parliamentary democracy through public trust would make it possible to build a strong, effective and democratic parliament.

The meeting discussed Bangladesh's effective role in UN bodies and the UN General Assembly, settlement of Bangladesh's maritime boundary case and various aspects of parliamentary diplomacy.

Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam, members of the IPU delegation, Parliament Secretariat Secretary and senior officials concerned were present.