Bangladesh News

With the government and the Election Commission determined to hold polls within this year and the BNP mulling boycott if election schedule not deferred to next year, all the election allies prepare to contest the polls separately.

A BNP boycott of December 18 polls is sure to prompt the Awami League (AL) and the Jatiya Party (JP) to contest the elections separately and split the BNP-led four-party as indication is there that its crucial ally Jamaat-e-Islami is capable of pulling success without the mainstay BNP.

Keeping the option open for individual poll race, all the major parties have almost finalised nominations.

The AL has completed fielding candidates in 300 constituencies, a close associate of party President Sheikh Hasina said. It however kept from officially publishing its list of picks.

The JP has finalised a list of 280 picks. It will give out remaining 20 nominations this morning.

The Jatiya Jukta Front of Dr Kamal Hossain and Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury has given nominations to 140 candidates. It plans to field 200 candidates in the event.

The Liberal Democratic Party finalised 120 candidates. The party is planning to increase its list of picks by wooing reformist BNP leaders in its fold, sources said.

As the BNP may keep from the elections following last night’s government announcement that the polls will be held as scheduled, the Awami League and the Jatiya Party are thinking through how to take part in the polls.

Earlier on Tuesday, JP chairman HM Ershad, after a meeting with Sheikh Hasina, announced that his party would contest the polls from the AL-led platform and form a government together if voted to power.

The AL-led 14-party combine and the JP will now submit nominations separately.

The AL has already directed its candidates to submit nominations to election office in their respective constituencies.

In the meantime, AL presidium member Zillur Rahman submitted his nomination for Kishoreganj 6 constituency yesterday.

Sources said if the AL takes part in the election under an electoral alliance keeping the JP in its fold, then the party would bring changes in its nominations in many constituencies in line with the consensus reached with the JP and 14-party components over sharing of seats, ahead of the deadline for nomination withdrawals.

JP presidium member Ziauddin Bablu told The Daily Star that they will submit nominations in 300 constituencies separately.