It's part of movement

The decision to participate in the election is part of their movement to restore democracy, the BNP-led 20 parties and Jatiya Oikyafront announced yesterday.

The situation in the country is not suitable for an inclusive and credible election since there is no level playing field, the alliances said in separate press conferences.

The parties are concerned over the wholesale arrests of their leaders and activists despite the prime minister's assurances of no more arrests, they said.

If a free and fair election is not held and an “untoward situation” arises, the government and the Election Commission would be held responsible.

“It has been a very tough decision for the Jatiya Oikyafront to join the polls. Despite the extremely adverse situation, the Jatiya Oikyafront has decided to participate in the election as part of a movement for restoration of democracy in the country,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, also spokesperson of Jatiya Oikyafront, told a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club.

Fakhrul read out a written statement on behalf of Dr Kamal Hossain.

The Oikyafront, however, has not backed off from its seven-point demand, he said.

“We demand that the election be deferred by one month…. scrap the current [polls] schedule, and announce a new one.”

It is the responsibility of the government to hold a credible and inclusive election, he said.

“Besides preparing for the election, Jatiya Oikyafront will also keep a sharp eye on the attitudes of the government and the Election Commission.”

In 2008, the election schedule was deferred twice to ensure the participation of the BNP-led alliance.

Fakhrul said people's basic democratic rights were snatched away through the so-called election on January 5, 2014. The next election should be the election for restoring people's voting rights.

Referring to the dialogue between the Oikyafront and Awami League-led alliance, he said the ruling party did not make any gesture to resolve the crisis.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the talks assured the Oikyafront leaders that no case would be filed against opposition leaders and activists. But the promise had not been kept, he said.

Hundreds of leaders and activists have been arrested after the PM's promise. It seems that the government is not willing at all to make compromises.

“We will continue the movement to…. create a congenial atmosphere for a credible election.”

About 15 minutes before the Oikyafront's announcement, BNP-led 20-party at another press conference at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office announced their decision.

LDP President Oli Ahmed at the press conference said they have decided to participate in the election for the sake of democracy.

“As we have confidence in people, the 20 parties unanimously decided to join the upcoming parliamentary election despite the extremely hostile situation,” he said.

Oli also said they would reach a consensus with the Oikyafront.

He hoped that the arrests would stop and the detained leaders released.

The EC should dissolve the parliament to create a level playing field, he said.

He also urged the government to release BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia before the election.

People hope that the government officials will carry out their duties properly, he said.

He also asked why administration officials were given the charge of returning officers while there are experienced election officials for the jobs. “People have questions in their minds as to whether this will impact the election process. We are demanding a clear and satisfactory explanation from the election commission in this regard.”