The framework of a poll-time interim government would be presented before the nation immediately for holding the next general election in a peaceful and impartial manner, said Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Alamgir, who is also the opposition spokesperson, however, did not mention how soon the party is going to announce the outline of the election-time administration.
“We will hold discussions with our party chief Khaleda Zia and the party’s apex body in this regard. We will then lay out an outline of the election-time government,” he added.
Alamgir made this announcement while addressing a seminar arranged by the BNP Parliamentary Caucus at the Parliament Members’ Club of the Jatiya Sangsad on Monday.
The country has plunged into a deep crisis and the Awami League (AL) has hindered its democracy in various ways since 1971, he alleged. Alamgir pointed out around 42 years have already passed after the country’s independence, but no permanent method of election-time management has been incorporated in the charter yet. “It is a matter of shame for us. It is also a weakness of our nation,” he said.
Leaders and activists of the party participated in the seminar, “Caretaker Government, Corruption Prevention and Law and Order Situation”. During the seminar, a caucus presented a framework of the election-time administration.
According to the recommendation by the caucus, there will be a 15-member advisory council, comprising members drawn from the retired chief justices of the Supreme Court and its Appellate Division, former speakers of Parliament, civil society members, former government or army officials, eminent jurists, educationists and people from the business community for 90 days.
A chief adviser will be appointed from among them who will reform the Election Commission (EC) and will hold talks with people from several communities, including political parties, in order to hold the general elections in an impartial manner within the time-frame.
Alamgir said, “This not a proposal of our party, but I will place the recommendations during our party’s forum meeting.” He underscored the need for a national consensus over the CG issue, adding that no result will be achieved by engaging in a blame game. He pointed out that though general elections are held under party management in several other countries, it is impossible in Bangladesh as trust is absent among the country’s political parties.
At a separate function, Alamgir said all democratic countries across the world are concerned about the future of the upcoming general elections in Bangladesh.
Referring to the letter written by the US secretary of state, John Kerry, Alamgir said they want to see free, fair and impartial nation elections, in which all political parties participate, to be held in Bangladesh.
US secretary of state John Kerry had written to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader Khaleda Zia, urging them to hold a dialogue to end the current deadlock over the poll-time administration.
“We want to reach a mutual compromise over the election-time administration through dialogue. And the dialogue will take place if the BNP gets an assurance that the next general polls would be held under a non-party neutral administration,” Alamgir added.
He was talking to reporters after placing wreaths at the grave of the party’s founder, late president Ziaur Rahman, marking the 35th founding anniversary of the party’s women’s front, Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal.
The government is instigating the BNP into creating anarchic conditions in the country without paving the path for holding the next general elections under a non-party neutral administration, he claimed. He further alleged that holding the next general elections has become uncertain as a result of the government’s stubborn
attitude.
“We are abstaining from organising an intensive anti-government campaign, taking people’s sufferings into consideration. That does not mean we will participate in the poll without the provision of a caretaker government (CG),” he said.
On the other hand, BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed said that the next general elections must be held under a non-party CG, whether the Constitution is amended or not. He also said, however, that it would be unconstitutional if the next general polls are held without bringing a further amendment to the Constitution.
The election will be legalised by bringing a further amendment to the charter by the government which will come to power in the national elections, he said, adding that there will be a chance to do so in accordance with the previous records.
Moudud said the BNP-led 18-Party Alliance will never take part in any election if Awami League president and Premier Sheikh Hasina remains the chief of the election-time administration. “It will also be unconstitutional if that is done,” he added.
“The Constitution is not like the Holy Quran and Bible, and not above the requirements of the people. It must be amended in the light of the people’s interests,” he said.
Describing the current Election Commission (EC) as spineless, he alleged that it was playing a partisan role as an agent of the government. The EC has to be reformed in order to hold the next general elections in a congenial and non-partisan atmosphere, he claimed.
-With The Independent input
