She urges all parties to resolve differences
The next general election in the country will be held anytime between October 25 and January 24, 2014 in accordance with the Constitution, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury said on Thursday. “As per the Constitutional provisions, the general election will take place within the last 90 days of the tenure of the government,” she said in a brief welcoming remark at the start of the 19th and last session of current parliament. “This session will continue through October 24,” Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury said adding that the national election would be held anytime between October 25 and January 24 next “under Sub-Section 3(a) of Article 123 of the Constitution.
The parliament went into its 19th session Thursday amid a charged political atmosphere in the country as a result of the continued government-opposition standoff over a poll-time government for holding the next general election in a free, fair and credible manner.
During yesterday’s opening session, none of the parliament members belonging to opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its alliance partners
were present in the House. BNP already publicly said that it would not join the current session of parliament.
Before the parliament went into session yesterday, the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the House decided that the 19th session would run through October 24. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present at the meeting chaired by Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury.
Speaker Chowdhury expressed her hope that the last session of the parliament would be effective with lively and constructive discussions participated by the members of both the ruling and the opposition parties.
She said steps would be taken to pass some important bills during the ongoing session and sought cooperation from all concerned for keeping the advancement of democracy uninterrupted in the country.
Meanwhile, the ruling Awami League leaders on repeated occasions asked opposition BNP to place its demand, if any, at the parliament.
UNB adds: Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said the nation hopes that the ruling and opposition parties will take initiatives to resolve their differences in the current session of parliament as the country is heading towards the general election.
Dr Shirin Sharmin hoped that both the ruling and opposition camps will discuss important national issues, engage in debate and will make the House vibrant through their constructive criticisms.
-With The Independent input
