AL to take part in Aug 4 polls

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Awami League (AL) yesterday decided to take part in the August 4 polls to four city corporations and nine municipalities.

The decision came at a two-day meeting of the AL Central Working Committee (ALCWC), the party’s highest decision-making body.

“After weighing up the pros and cons, we have unanimously decided to participate in the local polls in the interests of democracy, peace and stability in the country,” said AL acting president Zillur Rahman.

He was talking to reporters after the meeting at party chief Sheikh Hasina’s political office in Dhanmondi.

AL also demanded that the government hold the parliamentary polls without delay and announce a specific election date.

Besides, it reiterated its call for complete and immediate withdrawal of the state of emergency.

The ALCWC meeting began Thursday and continued till 7:30pm yesterday.

Most of the participants at the meeting suggested that the party take into consideration the eagerness of the party ranks as well as people to participate in the election.

In the light of their suggestions, the meeting decided in favour of going to the polls, which would be the first ones under the present caretaker government, sources said.

Zillur said it is sad that the government has yet to lift the state of emergency despite their repeated demands. He called on the government to revoke the emergency rule completely so that people could practise their right to vote properly.

AL will raise these demands during talks with the caretaker government on July 3.

At yesterday’s meeting, the presidium members have been asked to strike a hard bargain at the next month’s dialogue with the government.

Sources said the decision in favour of the polls has come on getting a green signal from the AL chief who is currently abroad for treatment.

The ALCWC tasked acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam with contacting the government and request to shift either the closing date for submitting nominations from July 3 to July 5 or the dialogue date from July 3 to July 1 so that the party could discuss their stance elaborately with the government.

Referring to the condition of Hasina’s ears, Zillur said it would not have deteriorated much had the government released her earlier.

He demanded unconditional and permanent release of the AL chief.

Zillur criticised the government for not releasing Mohammad Nasim yet for overseas treatment. He asked for immediate arrangements for the ailing AL leader to be sent abroad.

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