Two more parties want army, JS dissolution

Two more political parties during their electoral talks with the Election Commission (EC) yesterday demanded dissolution of parliament before the general elections and deployment of army during the election.

The two parties -- Bangladesher Biplobi Workers Party (BBWP) and Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (Jagpa) -- made a number of other suggestions during their meetings presided over by Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda at the EC secretariat.

BBWP also demanded restoration of the “no-vote” provision and proposed that the Election Commission (EC) should play the role of a supervisory government during the election.

A 13-member delegation of the party led by its Secretary General Saiful Haque placed a 23-point proposal to the EC members.

“We demanded deployment of army during the next general elections and urged [the EC] to ensure a level-playing field before the election,” Saiful Haque said after the meeting.

He also said his party suggested bringing some important ministries under the EC during the election. “We also urged the EC to set a process for online submission of nomination papers.”

Later, a 13-member delegation of Jagpa, a component of BNP-led  20-party alliance, led by its acting president Rehena Pradhan held a meeting with the commission and placed their suggestions containing 14 points.

Their demands include formation of an election-time government consisting retired government officials, former chief justices and eminent citizens of the country, deployment of army with magistracy power 30 days before the election and cease to consider the use of Electronic Voting Machines in the election.

Khandakar Lutfur Rahman, general secretary of the party, told journalists that under a formula of an election-time government his party has placed before the EC, the prime minister would go on a three months' leave prior to the election and during the period his or her executive power would be curtailed. 

The ECs ongoing talks with registered political parties will resume on September 10.