BNP leaders Mintoo, Sohel, Alal not contending polls

BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo, joint secretary generals Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel and Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal are not contesting the 11th parliamentary elections slated for December 30.

Sairul Kabir Khan, a member of BNP chairperson’s press wing, confirmed the development. He, however, could not tell the reasons behind their decisions.

According to a source in the party, Alal backtracked on his decision to join the upcoming elections as he did not get the nomination from Barishal-2. The party has nominated him from Barishal-5 instead.

WHEN IS THE ELECTION?

Election Commission has revised polls schedule, deferring the 11th general election by a week to December 30 – a decision taken earlier this week.

The authorities have fixed November 28 as the deadline for filing nomination papers, December 2 for scrutiny and December 9 last date of withdrawal.

The move came following demands from several opposition political parties.

IS EVERYONE PARTICIPATING?

Chief Election Commissioner has said that there is a congenial atmosphere in the country – echoing the words of the ruling party.

However, major opposition alliances like the Jatiya Oikyafront, which includes BNP, and the Bikalpa Dhara-led Juktafront have sought for delaying the schedule.

Until thus far, it seems that the coming parliamentary election will not be the “non-participatory election” that was its predecessor.

All the major political parties are gearing up to contest in the election and there have been no threats of a boycott or withdrawal, unlike the last time.