Ershad-alliance for immediate polls-schedule

Jatiya Party’s alliance today pressed the Election Commission for immediate announcement of election schedule.

United National Alliance (UNA) conveyed the pressure at a meeting with election commissioners at the commission’s Agargaon office.

Election Commission is slated to announce the election schedule tomorrow amidst calls for a hold up from opposition parties.

“There won’t be any dialogue after today. We told the EC not to delay any further and declare the election schedule tomorrow,” Ruhul Amin Howladar, secretary general of Jatiya Party, briefed reporters after the meeting.

The call was made amidst an ongoing dialogue between the ruling and opposition parties – aimed to end the standoff over the likely general election in December.

In the meeting with the EC, the delegation of JP-led alliance placed its 8-point proposal for the upcoming national election.

WHAT ARE THE PROPOSALS?

The 8-point proposal includes announcement of the election schedule on November 8, creating awareness to enhance credibility of using EVMs in the election, deployment of army as the striking force during the election but without magistracy power, and assurance from the EC that it will work independently to conduct the election.

The other proposals are: making the application process for nomination easier than it was previously; taking steps to prevent black money from influencing the election; taking strict measures to ensure that no use of weapon is made during the election and no incident of violence occurs during the election; imposing restriction on movement of cars and motorcycles; and considering to provide single poster for electoral campaigns. 

WHO WERE IN THE MEETING?

A 16-men delegation of the alliance led by Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad held an hour-long meeting with the election commissioners from 11:15am.

JP Presidium Members Anisul Islam Mahmud, Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu, Mujibul Haque Chunnu and Mashiur Rahman Ranga, were present among others in the meeting.

Hawladar said, the alliance also conveyed concerns over the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs). “The new system of EVM should be examined thoroughly before use.”

WHAT IS THIS IMPASSE?

All the opposition parties and alliances have demanded for holding the general election under a nonpartisan government and dissolution of the parliament ahead of it.

However, ruling Awami League has repeatedly asserted that it will keep to the constitution – meaning that the election will be held under its government.

Apart from this major issue, there are several other major demands, like the release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail and use of electronic voting.

Also, the opposition parties have been accusing the Election Commission of subservience to the government and walking the path as instructed to it.

WHEN IS THE POLLS SCHEDULE?

Earlier on November 4, Election Commission announced that it will be announcing the complete election schedule on November 8.

The schedule will include the dates of collecting nomination, submitting nomination, scrutinising the nominations and withdrawal of nominations.

According to what is being said, the general election is likely to be held in December.

HOW IS THE DIALOGUE PROGRESSING?

The first round of dialogue, held after a letter of interest from the Oikyafront, was held on November 1. Oikyafront said they were not happy with it.

A second round of talks with the ruling alliance, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, was held in Gono Bhaban today.

Meanwhile, Awami League has also held talks with Jatiya Party and Bikalpa Dhara-led alliance Juktofront, Islamic Democratic Alliance and Left Democratic Alliance.