Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said that the current parliament would stay until January 24 and its session could be prorogued a day before the declaration of poll schedule by the Election Commission. Her announcement came in the wake of the recent debate whether or not the parliament session can be prorogued after October 24.Referring to the apprehension of law and order situation after October 24, a date the opposition set for launching tougher movement, the prime minister boldly said that the government was determined to maintain peace by any means.
Addressing the central working committee meeting of AL at Ganabhaban, Hasina, who is also the president of the ruling Awami League, also pointed out that if the president did not dissolve parliament as per the Constitution before the end of the tenure of the present government the next general election would have to be held by January 24.
After assuming power the AL government has amended the Constitution under which [article 123 (3) (a) ] the election has to be held within 90 days before the end of the tenure of the government.
Since the tenure of the government will end on January 24 next year, election can be held any day between October 24 and January 24 next year, the PM added.
Criticising those who suggested that the parliament cannot sit after October 24 as it will not be functional after that day the prime minister said, “There is no mention anywhere in the Constitution that the parliament session cannot be held during this 90-day period”.
Many argued that the parliament session cannot be prorogued after October 24 because there is a provision that parliament session cannot be held within 60 days of its adjournment.
But the prime minister brushed aside this notion saying that the Article 72 (amended) of the constitution says this provision will not be applicable for the last 90 daysof the tenure of a parliament.
The premier also said that the announcement of the schedule of the next election lies with the Election Commission as it is the responsibility of the commission. “It is their sole responsibility,’ she added.
In this connection, she came down heavily on the opposition which is saying that election could not be free, fair and neutral under the Awami League government.
“If the election could not be held in a free, fair and neutral manner under the AL government then how the opposition had won all the five city corporation polls?” she questioned.
Sheikh Hasina also expressed the hope that the people of the country would re-elect Awami League for continuation of development. “If the people want to bring back the militancy, terrorism and corruption again in the country they can bring them by voting for the opposition. But if they want the development, peace and prosperity they will surely vote for the AL,” she said.
Listing the present government’s stunning success, in different sectors, the PM said her government ensured overall development of the country.
In this connection, she mentioned the socioeconomic uplift projects of the government including the expansion of social safety net programme, distribution of free textbooks and stipend, setting up community clinic, giving subsidy on agriculture, introduction of bank account for farmers at only Taka 10 and fair price card and development in the power and energy sector.
-With The Independent input
