Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Thursday said there was little possibility of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina returning to Bangladesh within the next 10 years, based on his political experience.

“My political experience says there is no possibility of her returning even in the next 10 years,” he told journalists at the district circuit house in Bhola.

Hafiz said the Awami League had created an environment during its tenure in which honest, capable and neutral people could not participate in elections.

“That is why a radical reform of the electoral system is now necessary,” he said.

He said people who were not wealthy but enjoyed popularity and acceptance in society should have the opportunity to contest elections. The Election Commission must establish a system that enables ordinary people to take part in the electoral process, he added.

The Speaker also stressed that the upcoming local government elections must be free, fair and impartial.

“Elections were not held fairly over the last 17 years. So the upcoming local government elections will be held freely, fairly and impartially,” he said.

Speaking about Bhola’s natural gas potential, Hafiz said the district had substantial gas reserves, possibly comparable to the country’s current reserves, with the possibility of further discoveries.

“The people of Bhola have been suffering for a long time. Gas is the rightful right of the people of Bhola,” he said.

Hafiz left Bhola for Dhaka later in the day after completing a three-day visit to his constituency, Lalmohan-Tazumuddin.