BNP has blocked space for compromise, AL tells US pre-election mission

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader today told the US pre-election assessment mission that compromise with BNP is not possible violating the constitution.

He also said the opposition party itself "has blocked space" for compromise and adjustment.

"They [US observer team] talked about compromise and adjustment. We told them democracy itself means compromise and adjustment, but we cannot compromise by violating the constitution," Quader said following a meeting with the joint International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI) pre-election assessment mission.

When asked if BNP's intention to go to the elections only after Sheikh Hasina resignation was brought up, Quader said, "These issues were discussed. BNP did not leave space for compromise and adjustment, they blocked it."

"We do not want to speak ill about anyone. But BNP is spreading many rumours through rallies and processions. So, we had to make sure the mission knows about the facts." said Obaidul Quader.

The AL leader said the US observation team's intent was very positive and unbiased.

He said the US mission came here not to mediate under in any circumstances.

"They actually wanted to know our attitude, the environment. What do we want to do, what kind of election do we want? And how we see the future of democracy in Bangladesh," Quader told reporters.

Prior to the meeting with Awami League, the pre-election assessment mission met with BNP at 10:20am at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office.

The joint IRI NDI pre-election assessment mission arrived in Bangladesh on Saturday to conduct an independent and impartial assessment of the preparations of the electoral process.

From 8 to 12 October, the six-member delegation is scheduled to meet with a diverse group of election stakeholders including government officials, political party leaders, election authorities, civil society, and others.

The delegation is co-chaired by Karl F Inderfurth, former assistant secretary of state for South Asian Affairs and Bonnie Glick, former deputy USAID administrator. It also includes Maria Chin Abdullah, former member of the House of Representatives, Malaysia; Jamil Jaffer, former associate counsel to the president of the United States; Manpreet Singh Anand, NDI regional director for Asia-Pacific; and Johanna Kao, IRI senior director, Asia-Pacific division.

The delegation will conduct its assessment in accordance with the laws of Bangladesh and consistent with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation which was signed in 2005 at the United Nations.