The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Gano Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday said the people would have to be integrated in the process of facing national challenges.

"Expectation of all is an elected parliament through fair polls. We want multi-party democracy, but it needs to have democracy within the parties." he said while addressing a civic meeting entitled 'National Unity in Facing National Challenges', organized by the party at the Institution of Engineers here.

Former Adviser of Caretaker Government Advocate Sultana Kamal, former ambassador CM Morshed, Gano Forum General Secretary Saifuddin Ahmed Manik, Samajik Andolon chairman Ajoy Roy and United Lawyers' Council leader Advocate Subrata Chowdhury took part in the discussion, among others.

Dr. Kamal Hossain said the nomination of candidates to take part in the polls should be made transparent and in a democratic process.

Besides, he urged the government to provide the farmers with necessary fertilizers for cultivation of boro and potato crops. He also called for various steps including rehabilitation of the cyclone-hit people and sanctioning loans for them to bring dynamism in economy.

The Gano Forum chief also demanded trial of the war criminals as he said that there should not be any concession in this regard in trying these elements including militants and terrorists.

Dr Kamal Hossain urged the people to raise their voice against criminalization of politics in the country.

BSS, Dhaka

The Election Commission (EC) will take the decision to enroll the non-resident Bangladeshis in the voter list by the next week after a meeting with the Chief Adviser.

"Necessary amendments will be brought to the concerned laws after getting positive response from the government," Election Commissioner Sohul Hossain told the journalists at his office yesterday.

He said the EC has a plan to enroll all expatriate Bangladeshis in the voter list. But this time, only the non-resident Bangladeshis in Britain would be enrolled because of time constraint, and legal and other infrastructural problems.

Asked about the process of enlisting the expatriates, the Commissioner said the EC would send forms to the Embassies or the High Commissions of the respective countries. The legitimate persons will collect the forms and submit those after filling up.

After proper scrutiny, the decision will be taken to enroll them as voters, he said.

About enlisting people living in the enclaves, Sohul Hossain said the inhabitants of Angarpota and Dahagram would be enrolled this time as they were enlisted in the voter lists earlier. But the EC is sincere in enlisting people in the other enclaves also, he said.

The Commissioner said soon after the opening of the Court the EC would secure the decision on the dialogue with BNP. Meanwhile, lawyers have been appointed in this regard.