EVM won't be used if both sides agree: EC

The Election Commission (EC) will try its best to “accommodate any political understanding” following the much-hyped dialogue between ruling Awami League and Jatiya Oikyafront.

“We will try our best to accommodate every political understanding that comes as a result of the dialogue [between Al and Oikyafront] in light of the electoral laws,” Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam told reporters at his office at the Nirbachon Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon.

He also said if the two sides come to a consensus over not using electronic voting machines (EVM) in the next election, the EC will not go for using those despite their all-out preparation in this regard.

AL on Monday announced that the party would invite Jatiya Oikyafront leaders to dinner on Thursday at the Gonobhaban, for talks over the next general election. 

The talks will be held at the Prime Minister's Office at 3:00pm on November 1.

The AL move came a day after Dr Kamal Hossain, a key figure of the Jatiya Oikyafront, wrote to the prime minister, urging her to take an initiative for talks between the alliance and the ruling party.

Meanwhile, the EC will sit in a meeting on November 3 to discuss electoral code of conduct and election preparation for the 11th national election, sources at the EC secretariat said.

The commission will sit in the meeting a day after Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda and four other election commissioners  meet with President Abdul Hamid. The EC's meeting with the president is scheduled to be held on November 1 at Bangabhaban.

The EC will also sit in another meeting on November 4 to discuss on the election preparations.

Sources said the EC may announce the election schedule that day.  

The EC will hold an inter-ministerial meeting today, to discuss its preparations, said the source.

BANGLADESH CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION MAKES 3 DEMANDS 

From a meeting with the EC yesterday, leaders of Bangladesh Christian Association placed three demands, including not holding the next general election on a date close to the Christmas day (December 25).