The Election Commission (EC) begins talks with political parties today in an effort to minimise differences between the EC and political parties about their registration with the commission, which was made mandatory for taking part in the general elections.
The EC will sit in the third round of dialogue with 16 political parties.
In the wake of changes in the political arena, the EC has invited for talks the BNP faction loyal to ex-premier Khaleda Zia, which is led by BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain.
BNP Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan, however, told The Daily Star last night that they are yet to make the final decision on joining the talks with the EC.
On the first day of the third round of talks, the EC will sit with Bangladesh Workers Party at 10:30am, Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal at 11:30am, Ganotantri Party at 12:30pm and Jatiya Party (Ershad) at 2:00pm.
The commission has formally invited political parties to attend the dialogue by giving appointments to BNP on September 7, Jatiya Party (JP-Manju) and Jamaat-e-Islami on September 8 and Awami League on September 9.
Workers Party General Secretary Bimal Biswas told The Daily Star that they would raise different issues concerning inconsistencies in the registration process.
"We will speak against the Election Commission's decision to allow religion-based parties to register with the EC," Bimal said. Major political parties have been vehemently opposing the EC's timeframe for applying for registration saying it is difficult for them to meet the conditions required for registration with the EC.
The EC on August 25 announced that political parties must apply for registration with the EC by October 15 to qualify for taking part in the parliamentary polls.
Issues of de-linking political parties from affiliated front organisations, comprised of students, teachers and professionals, and overseas units, holding upazila elections and announcement of parliamentary polls schedule might be raised by the political parties for discussion.
The EC stipulate a number of conditions for registration including having provisions in the party constitution disallowing front organisations or chapters abroad.
Major political parties including the Awami League (AL) and the BNP have refused to sever relations with the affiliated organisations but according to the condition for registration laid down in the Representation of the People Order (RPO) they will have to do so to qualify for registration.
According to the revised RPO, the party constitutions must seek to ensure at least 33 percent women office bearers in committees at every level by 2020, and the organisations must be run according to their constitutions.
The EC plans to wrap up the registration by October 30 and a few days after that announce the schedule for the general elections tentatively planned to be held in the third week of December.
The political parties will have less than 40 days to complete preparations to meet the conditions for registration. It is less than half the time designated for registration in the EC's electoral roadmap.
Major parties like Awami League (AL), BNP and Jatiya Party argue that they need at least 4-5 months to amend their constitutions to sever ties with the front organisations and elect new committees through national councils.
Most of the political parties have been opposing the registration prerequisites while some went on to accuse the caretaker government and the commission of attempting to pull rank on them.
MEETING SCHEDULE
September 7: Communist Party of Bangladesh at 10:30am, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh at 11:30am, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu) at 12:30pm and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) at 2:00pm.
September 8: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at 10:30am, Islami Oikya Jote at 11:30am, Jatiya Party-Manju (JP) at 12:30pm and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh at 2:00pm.
September 9: Krishak Sramik Janata League at 10:30am, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rob) at 11:30am, National Awami Party (Mozaffar) at 12:30pm and Bangladesh Awami League at 2:00pm.