Bangladesh News

Demanding withdrawal of the ban on indoor politics before holding talks with political parties, BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday said the Election Commission (EC) should put all its efforts in preparing a complete voter list.

“The commission should be mainly focused on preparing the voter list so that the roadmap could be followed properly,” Bhuiyan told reporters at his Gulshan residence.

Earlier Wednesday, Election Commissioner Sohul Hossain told reporters that they are planning to hold talks with the political parities in September regarding the commission’s proposals.

But Bhuiyan yesterday said it would be sufficient if the talks are held eight-ten months prior to the general elections according to the EC roadmap.

“There is no problem if the EC delays in holding talks on electoral reforms with the political parties, but the ban on indoor politics should be lifted before the dialogue,” he said.

“We all will agree with most EC proposals,” Bhuiyan said, adding that a few proposals may need be discussed with the political parties and different social organisations. “So, the EC now should use all its efforts to prepare a voter list.”

According to party sources, most party leaders are not ready to join the EC dialogue before implementation of their reform proposals. They think the party leadership might change if the party council could be held after the current flood situation is over.

Meanwhile, BNP chairperson’s adviser Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah recently said the party will not sit in dialogue with the EC to discuss electoral reforms if the ban on indoor politics is not withdrawn.

He also hinted that the party chairperson will take action against the dissident leaders led by the party secretary general for their anti-party activities.

But the leaders under the leadership of Bhuiyan, who are working to hold the party council to bring changes in the party constitution, want to implement their proposals before party politics is open again.

It is noted that Awami League Acting President Zillur Rahman also said his party will not participate in the EC dialogue if the ban on indoor politics is not lifted.