Hold JS polls first
CEC ATM Shamsul Huda greets Awami League acting President Zillur Rahman before the dialogue at the EC Secretariat yesterday.Photo: STAR
Awami League (AL) yesterday strongly opposed the Election Commission's (EC) plan for holding upazila polls before the parliamentary election, and demanded that the commission announces the detailed schedule for the long stalled ninth parliamentary ballot without any delay.
On the closing day of the four-day long third round of parley between the commission and political parties, marked by a boycott by BNP and its allies, AL however said although a detailed schedule for upazila elections can be announced now, those must be held after the national poll.
It also demanded total withdrawal of the state of emergency without any delay for ensuring an environment free of fear and intimidation, and conducive to holding an election with participation of all parties, which will be credible nationally and internationally.
The caretaker government and the EC must take notice of the national consensus that has already been formed on two issues -- withdrawal of the state of emergency and holding the parliamentary poll first, AL noted.
"There are apprehensions of the crisis deepening if you keep imposing decisions that contradict the constitution, ignoring opinions of all political parties, the civil society and the people," Zillur Rahman, acting president of AL, told the EC during the talk.
He also hoped that the commission and government will refrain from taking unilateral decisions.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Ziku), Krishak Sramik Janata League, and National Awami Party also had separate talks with the EC yesterday.
Coming out of the talk, JSD (Ziku) Secretary General Abdul Malek Ratan told journalist that the EC assured them of declaring within a few days a specific date for the parliamentary election and detailed schedules for upazila polls.
On political parties' mandatory registration with the EC, AL demanded cancellation of some of the newly framed criteria for registration which imposed restrictions on parties' having front organisations of professionals, terming the criterion unconstitutional.
Demanding cancellation of another criterion that restricts parties' having overseas units, AL said the Bangladesh government does not have jurisdiction for imposing a ban on the Bangladeshi diaspora forming organisations affiliated with parties at home, if those operate legally in foreign countries.
It also said AL has no objection to the mandatory registration of parties, but it will be difficult to meet all criteria for registration within the short time the commission is allowing for the purpose, and hoped the EC will be realistic about the matter.
Wrapping up the series of talks with 13 political parties, the EC sits today to review the proposals of the parties, and will decide on the next course of action regarding the issue of party registration, which was made mandatory for parties seeking to contest in the national election.
Within a couple of days the EC will disclose its decisions on the issues.
Asked for his comment, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda just said, "We will talk about it later."
During the two-hour long closed door parley in the EC Secretariat, the AL delegation led by the party's acting chief placed a five-point charter of demands which includes a demand for unconditional permanent release of AL President Sheikh Hasina, who is currently abroad for treatment following her release from detention on a government executive order.
"Unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina and withdrawal of all fabricated cases filed against her is a pre-condition for creating an atmosphere for the polls. Awami League is determined to participate in the parliamentary poll under the leadership of freed Sheikh Hasina, which must be held before any other election," AL said in its written proposal.
The party also demanded withdrawal of cases filed against other AL leaders, and release of the still detained leaders.
AL, which had earlier sat twice with the EC for talks on electoral reform, also demanded scrapping of the newly inserted provision of casting 'no vote' in parliamentary polls from the recently amended Representation of People's Order (RPO), terming the provision absurd.
"Almost all political parties objected to some of the newly inserted provisions in the Representation of People's Order. The Election Commission should withdraw the controversial and unrealistic provisions," Zillur told the EC.
Emerging from yesterday's talk, AL leaders claimed they reached a consensus with the EC on some crucial issues including holding of the parliamentary and upazila polls, and registration of political parties. But they did not disclose the details of the consensus.
"We don't want to disclose it now. The Election Commission will take decisions and let all of you know later about the consensus," Ashraf told reporters.
Meeting sources however said the EC listened to AL's opinions and told the delegation that it will consider their suggestions.
When his attention was drawn to BNP and its allies' reported stance against contesting in the upcoming parliamentary poll, AL Presidium Member Tofail Ahmed said they asked the EC to ensure participation of all parties.
The EC argued in favour of beginning holding upazila polls in October without hampering the parliamentary poll planned for the third week of December, the sources added.
The EC said it wants to start holding polls to some upazila parishads in October and polls to the remaining will be held after the parliamentary election, but the AL leaders did not agree, the sources added.
The AL leaders also opposed holding of polls to Dhaka City Corporation in October.
They suggested holding of all local government polls in the immediate aftermath of the parliamentary election.
Asked whether AL will accept upazila polls before the parliamentary election, Tofail said upazila polls can in no way be held before the national election, eliciting an echo from another AL Presidium Member Amir Hossain Amu.
Asked whether the EC will change its stance on upazila polls in the wake of the slew of opposition from almost all political parties, Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain said, "Wait and see."
In his written speech at the talk, Zillur Rahman also said the people of the country at this moment are in an extreme uncertainty regarding the parliamentary poll, which is not only unwarranted, but also ominous.
"The caretaker government and the Election Commission must end the prevailing uncertainty and restore confidence in the public mind," Zillur stressed.
"We hope, the Election Commission will take positive steps immediately without wasting time," he added.
Krishak Sramik Janata League and National Awami party also demanded that the EC announces the date for parliamentary poll without any delay.
They also demanded that the government withdraws the state of emergency.
JSD (Ziku) however demanded holding of upazila elections under the caretaker government's regime.
The party also favoured holding of the parliamentary poll under a relaxed state of emergency.
The EC began the talks on Saturday in an effort to reach a consensus on political parties' registration.
According to the EC's announcement, political parties willing to contest in the upcoming parliamentary poll must apply for registration with the commission by October 15.
The EC will complete registering the parties in October following which it will announce the detailed schedule for the parliamentary poll, according to its plan.
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