AL talks with EC on nomination, code of conduct
An Awami League (AL) delegation yesterday discussed with the Election Commission (EC) some polls-related issues, and problems in filling in nomination forms for the upcoming national election.
"We have discussed electoral laws, code of conduct and some problems we are facing in filling in nomination forms," AL advisory council member HT Imam told reporters later.
Imam, also co-chairman of AL election conducting committee, said they pointed out to the EC 'small technical mistakes' so that those do not create problems in the polls process.
The AL leaders again asked the EC to defer upazila election by a 'logical' period of time.
The chief election commissioner and two election commissioners were present at the talks with the five-member AL team that included Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Abdul Mannan Khan and Dr Dipu Moni.
Clarifying the problems concerning nomination forms, Abdul Mannan Khan, who is office secretary of the party, said the forms contain a provision stating if there is any case against a person submitting nomination papers, case number and present state of the case are to be mentioned.
Mannan said many cases were filed against AL leaders in almost all districts after the government had made a list of godfathers and corruption suspects.
"It may not be possible for a candidate to remember details of all those cases. "
He quoted the EC as saying it will be alright if persons submitting nomination forms mention the cases they can recall, and state that there might be some other cases against him.
"The EC however said those who will submit nomination forms must have to mention if they are convicted in any case," Mannan added.
Meanwhile, a Commonwealth team yesterday met with the AL election conducting committee at the Gulshan residence of HT Imam.
The AL leaders told the delegation that withdrawal of the state of emergency and deferral of upazila polls are needed for holding a free and fair election.
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