BNP and its allies might not even apply for registration with the Election Commission (EC) since they do not accept the new provisions in the Representation of the People Order (RPO).
They will reconsider their stance only if the EC agrees to relax the criteria for registration, said sources close to the parties.
BNP and its partners in the four-party alliance want the commission to have the new provisions scrapped or suspended till the upcoming polls are over.
They will continue to press the EC to hold the December 18 national election under the previous laws, added the sources.
The military-backed caretaker government had a number of additions to the RPO 1972 through an ordinance last month.
Of the latest provisions, the ones providing for no-vote option and mandatory registration on meeting conditions like severing ties with front organisations and overseas chapters appear to be the most contentious.
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday reiterated that registration is a must for participation in the parliamentary polls.
Talking to reporters, he however said they are working to make the procedure easier.
“Registration is mandatory. But we are thinking about some alternatives.”
Declining to elaborate on the plans, he said the EC will announce its next course of action today. It will also talk about registration and outcome of the dialogue with political parties.
The same day secretaries general of the four parties--BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ) and Bangladesher Jatiya Party (BJP)--will meet at BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain's residence to discuss their strategies with regard to the amended RPO, particularly the registration rules.
According to the EC announcement, October 15 is the closing date for submitting registration applications.
BNP standing committee member Chowdhury Tanbir Ahmed Siddiky yesterday told The Daily Star, “It is utterly illogical to expect the parties to hold councils under the state of emergency and bring changes to their constitutions to fulfil the registration criteria.”
BNP's Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan said, “We have already told the Election Commission that it's not possible for us to meet the conditions at such short notice.”
As per the electoral laws of 1982, registration can be done after the election, he added.
Meanwhile, a number of BNP leaders said the party's opposition to almost every decision of the EC baffles them.
They told The Daily Star they are worried that wholesale disagreement might hinder the efforts to restore democracy.
“We shouldn't do anything that might prolong the non-elected regime,” said a former lawmaker.
Some others believe BNP would rather be the gainer if it can make the EC concede its demands.