Bangladesh News

The Awami League (AL) yesterday categorically demanded that the government and the Election Commission (EC) implement the Representation of the People Order (RPO) except some of the provisions it had opposed.

“We want full implementation of RPO, party registration, and electoral code of conduct,” said AL acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam at a press conference after a meeting of the AL presidium.

“We have some difference of opinions on some provisions in RPO but we fully agree other provisions,” Ashraf added.

During the recent talks with EC, AL demanded cancellation of some of the newly framed criteria for registration, which imposed restrictions on parties’ having front organisations of professionals, and overseas units terming the criterion unconstitutional.

The AL also wants the national election to be held under the newly framed electoral law and rules in a bid to make the upcoming polls free and fair and ensure participation of honest and competent candidates.

“We think the electoral laws and rules reforms are very necessary to prevent goons and black money holders from contesting the upcoming elections again,” Ashraf said, adding, “We want nomination to be given based on recommendation of the grassroots level and an election free from all influence of black money and mussel power.”

The party’s highest policymaking body sat at AL acting president Zillur Rahman’s Gulshan residence to review the chief adviser’s speech. The meeting with Zillur in the chair formally welcomed the speech for announcing the national election date first.

Addressing the press conference, Ashraf said the AL-led grand alliance had forged movement to carry out necessary reforms in electoral laws and for that the January 22 “conspiratorial” election could not be held.

“The 1/11 is the outcome of the Awami League-led grand alliance’s movement and electoral reforms are the outcome of the 1/11; so we can not allow these reforms go ruin for a party.”

The BNP and its alliance partners during its talks with EC on Saturday demanded that the new electoral laws and rules be scrapped or suspended till the national election is over.

The AL leader said those who [BNP] want the election be held under the 2001 electoral rules do not want a free and fair election in the country. They want to arrange a farcical election again with collaboration. The BNP wants the goons and black money holders take part in the upcoming polls again, he added.

Saying that there is no lack of honest and competent candidates in AL, he said his party would nominate only honest, eligible and acceptable candidates for the parliamentary polls.

AL presidium members Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed and Motia Chowdhury attended the meeting with Zillur in the chair.

“The chief adviser has assured the nation by saying that his government’s attempts were to hand over power to an elected government through holding a free, fair and credible election by December. We thank the chief adviser, the Election Commission and the council of advisers,” Ashraf said hoping that the government and EC would concentrate their best efforts on presenting the nation with national elections acceptable to all.

He expressed the hope that voter list in each electoral area would be finalised ahead of announcement of election schedule. The AL thanked the government and EC for preparing a dependable voter list.

He also praised them for announcing upazila elections date after the national elections. He however said there are some practical and technical problems with holding upazila elections just five days after the national polls.

It would be very tough to handle administrative preparations and law and order, he said, adding it would not also be possible for the government to hold the local body election in a free and fair manner.

The AL spokesman said his party would discuss the matter with the government.

Ashraf demanded immediate withdrawal the state of emergency before announcing the election schedule. He said holding of national election as well as casting of votes could not be held under emergency.

He also suggested that the government strictly implement the existing laws to ensure that all black-money holders, criminals and armed goons are barred effectively from the polls.

Asked about the news that EC should not be blamed in case the polls are hindered by BNP’s non-cooperation, the AL leader condemned the way BNP and some other parties behaved with EC at the dialogue. He however expressed the hope that all the political parties including BNP would take part in the elections.

About holding party council to amend the AL constitution to get registered with EC, Ashraf said there is no need to hold the council since EC has agreed to accept the changes in the party constitution with approval from the central working committee.

Replying to a query, he said, “The decision about the grand alliance will be taken after Sheikh Hasina returns home. Awami League will take part in the election under the banner of grand alliance and under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.”