EC invites BNP, other parties to dialogue

The Election Commission has written to the BNP and other registered political parties, inviting them to take part in talks that will be held on November 4, said sources.

The commission will inform the parties about its election preparations and also listen to their recommendations, according to EC officials.

However, EC Secretary Jahangir Alam yesterday refused to make any comment when a reporter asked him whether the EC would wait if the BNP asks for some time as many of its leaders are in jail.

Also yesterday, the EC held a meeting with top officials from different ministries, divisions, and Bangladesh Bank.

At the meeting, it asked administration officials to stay above politics and act sincerely and professionally while on duty during the national election.

The EC also asked officials to stay alert and ensure proper security for the international observers.

Exams and evaluation of scripts in schools should be completed by November 30, the EC told the officials.

A secretary proposed blocking social media sites like Facebook and You Tube on election day to prevent the spread of rumours, said sources who attended the meeting.

The EC held the meeting at a time when the country is witnessing political violence. At least eight people have been killed since Saturday when BNP activists clashed with law enforcers in the capital. The BNP has been demanding that the election be held under a non-partisan caretaker government while the ruling Awami League maintains that such demands are unconstitutional and will not be met.

Both parties have been organising rallies and counter-rallies across the country over the last couple of months.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal told yesterday's meeting that all eyes would be on the EC during the election, and most of its manpower during the election would come from the administration, said sources.

Jahangir told reporters that the EC directed officials to work for organising a free, fair, and peaceful election.

It also said the executive magistrates must ensure that all the candidates maintain the electoral code of conduct, according to sources who attended the meeting.

The officials said there were nearly 4,000 officers ready to perform duties as executive magistrates. The EC replied that it would need around 3,000.

It was discussed that a Bangladesh Bank representative should be present when commissioners settle appeals against scrapping of nominations.

The EC said if a candidate defaulted in paying credit card bills, they will be termed loan defaulters. The EC instructed the BB to ensure that Credit Information Bureau act judiciously while labelling a candidate as a loan defaulter.

If expatriates inform the foreign ministry that they are willing to vote, the EC will take necessary steps.

Anyone whose name is on the voter list will be able to exercise franchise, the EC said.

EC Secretary Jahangir said the foreign ministry was asked to issue notices through Bangladesh missions regarding the issuance of postal ballots.

Met officials present at the meeting said the weather could be foggy from mid-December to mid-January. However, the chances of inclement weather are slim during the period.

CEC MEETS CJ

CEC Habibul met Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan at the Supreme Court and told him that the judges involved in electoral enquiry committees should work during their vacation.

"The civil courts will be on vacation during that time … We want judges to carry out election duties in December," the CEC told reporters after the meeting.

Habibul said the chief justice assured him that he would consider the matter.