Without the participation of all political parties, the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) will not join the forthcoming 10th parliamentary election scheduled for January 5.
CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim announced it at a press briefing in the capital's Mukti Bhaban yesterday.
“Without consensus among political parties regarding the polls-time government, no election can be acceptable. For this reason, we will not participate in the election,” he said.
The CPB would contest in a free, fair and transparent election with the participation of all parties, he said, adding that his party would not accept any “declaration of emergency” and “military intervention”.
He criticised the Election Commission (EC) and the government for proceeding with the election schedule without reaching a consensus with the opposition.
The election would be a 'farce' without the opposition's participation, and it would not be acceptable to national and international quarters, Selim said, adding that the move would end up in a one-sided election.
The AL wants to grab the power through a 'staged' election that would deepen the ongoing political crisis, he observed.
Replying to a query, the CPB president said the consensus could still be reached if the AL and BNP want it.
He observed that an interim government for holding the election could be formed by bringing an amendment to the constitution that would curb the executive power of the government including the prime minister.
The CPB president, however, mentioned that the AL, Jamaat and a section of civil society members do not want any consensus to serve their own interests.
He also denounced the recent vandalism and anarchy carried out by the activists of the BNP-led 18-party combine throughout the country.
Earlier, CPB General Secretary Syed Abu Zafar Ahmed read out a written paper with the party's observation on the next election, and condemned the Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (Ticfa) deal signed with the US.
Meanwhile, Mahmudur Rahman  Manna, convener of Nagorik Oikya also expressed concern over the political crisis following the announcement of polls fixture.
Issuing a press statement, he claimed that the election without forming a non-party and neutral polls-time government, and the participation of all political parties would be one-sided.
The observations of the CPB and the Nagorik Oikya came just a day after Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad announced the polls fixture for the next general election.