The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Tuesday announced that it would boycott the 10th parliamentary election slated for January 5. “Without consensus among political parties regarding the polls-time government, no election can be acceptable. For this reason, we will not participate in the election,” CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim said at a press briefing in the city. He criticised the Election Commission and the government for proceeding with the election schedule without a consensus with the opposition.
The move would end up in a one-sided election, he observed.
The election would be a farce without the opposition’s participation and would not be acceptable to both national and international quarters, he added.
Selim also denounced the recent vandalism and anarchy carried out by activists of the BNP-led 18-party opposition alliance throughout the country.
To resolve the ongoing political crisis, ruling Awami League and opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party would have to reach a mutual understanding, he noted.
The CPB chief’s announcement came a day after the Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad had announced the polls fixture with the next general election to be held on January 5.
In its immediate reaction to the announcement, the opposition combine declared a 48-hour road, rail and waterway blockade demanding postponement of the schedule.
The ruling Awami League, however, welcomed the schedule and directed its grassroots leaders to bring out processions in support of the announcement Monday night.
-With The Independent input
