EC to invite all parties, seek cooperation
The Election Commission (EC) will formally invite both the ruling and Opposition parties soon for talks to seek their co-operation to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in municipalities.
Parties including Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party, Left Democratic Front and Jamaat-e-Islam will be officially invited for discussions, Chief Election Commissioner Mohammed Abu Hena said while talking to a group of newsmen at his office yesterday evening.
"Legally speaking, the local government elections has nothing to do with political parties as such. But the EC is not capable enough to hold the municipal polls without co-operation of the political parties," said Abu Hena.
Replying to a question, Abu Hena said that he already had some informal discussions with the parties but the opposition parties "boycotting" the polls did not respond positively. "Still, I am optimistic that they would respond positively, following the formal invitation."
When reminded that the mainstream opposition parties were demanding his resignation, Abu Hena said: "If it helps the nation go forward, I would like to repeat, I am ready to resign any moment. But I would only request the people concerned to substantiate the allegations of my bias for or against any political party."
Asked whether there was any legal scope for him to revise the schedule, he said the EC is legally obliged to hold municipal elections before March 19. "Whatever the case may be, there is no scope to announce a fresh date for submitting nomination papers.
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Asked why did the EC extended the time for submitting nomination papers from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Abu Hena said: The EC's responsibilities include co-operating with those interested to contest the elections.
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