Bangladesh News

BNP has changed its position regarding registration with the Election Commission (EC) as its key ally Jamaat-e-Islami is strongly opposing the Representation of the People Order (RPO) revised by the EC.

Jamaat insiders said over the past week their leaders successfully convinced the BNP leadership to change their position on party registration and the amended RPO.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia told reporters after her release on September 11 that her party would take part in the upcoming elections and the dialogue with the caretaker government.

But at a dialogue with the EC on September 20, the BNP and its allies said they would not accept implementation of the new electoral provisions in the parliamentary polls slated for December 18. They also submitted proposals to the EC in this regard.

Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Muhammad Kamaruzzaman met the BNP chairperson at her residence on September 21 to discuss issues related to the RPO.

Party insiders said at the meeting both Khaleda and Kamaruzzaman agreed to take decision regarding registration with the EC and the amended RPO after discussing in their alliance forum.

On September 22, Khaleda asked party Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain to send a delegation to the EC for getting information about the commission’s latest views on the revised RPO.

The delegation led by party Vice-President MK Anwar went to the EC the next day. After a fruitful discussion there, Anwar told reporters that the BNP would register with the commission, accept its laws and participate in the ninth parliamentary election.

The announcement irked Jamaat leaders who immediately contacted with the BNP secretary general and sought explanation of Anwar’s announcement, Jamaat sources said.

At an iftar party two hours later, Delwar said Anwar’s statement was personal. Anwar also said at a press briefing that the earlier announcement was his personal opinion, not the party’s decision.

On September 24, hinting at Anwar’s statement Delwar even said everyone in the party should not talk on party decisions.

“It is the party secretary general who will convey party positions on different matters. Besides, there is the party chairperson to that end,” Delwar said.

The same day, Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid met the BNP chairperson at her cantonment residence after returning from Saudi Arabia and discussed the issue.

After a meeting with acting British High Commissioner Duncan Norman on September 25, Delwar told reporters that there are many obstacles, including the amendment in the Representation of the People Order, to holding a free and fair election.