The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rafiqul Islam Azad

Most political parties are sceptical about the Election Commission's planned delimitation of parliamentary constituencies as they apprehend the move might delay the forthcoming elections much beyond the timeframe of the polls roadmap.

Some political parties, however, believed that the delimitation of constituencies after each of the population census report is obligatory, as per law of the land and it should be done.

They felt that the delimitation should be carried out to remove the discrepancies between constituencies but it would have been good to consult all parties before initiating such a move.

Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda, earlier, told reporters that the Commission would carry out delimitation on the basis of the latest census report to rationalise the constituencies. The Commission has alternatives in its hand to resolve complexities arising out of the planned delimitation, he added.

The Election Commission (EC), earlier, announced its election roadmap to hold the elections by the end of this year.

Awami League Presidium Member Tofail Ahmed told The New Nation that if the EC carries out delimitation this time, the election might be delayed as there are possibilities of filing cases by aggrieved people of the constituencies concerned.

The Election Commission has taken the initiative at such a time when there is not much time left for the polls. If the move is carried out aggrieved persons can file cases that will delay the elections, he said.

The AL leader said if the EC saw the urgency of doing it, it could have taken the initiative immediately after taking office.

The delimitation is not necessary ahead of the forthcoming elections, he opined.

BNP Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan said it is the duty of the Caretaker Government to hold the elections in time.

Why it became so important when there is no necessity of delimitation and no demand was made from any quarters, he questioned saying that the entire matter is difficult to understand.

Referring to the delay in holding the elections of Dhaka City Corporation for three years from the schedule time when Mayor Hanif was in office due to filing of cases by the aggrieved persons over refixing the boundaries of the DCC's wards, the BNP leader said there is reason to be anxious if the delimitation process delays the forthcoming polls.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed said the EC itself should think whether it would be appropriate to carry out extra task as its responsibility is to hold the elections in time.

The election cannot be taken out from the roadmap in any circumstance. The nation will not accept it, he said.

Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon said the delimitation of constituencies is obligatory according to the law but it would have been better if it was done at first.

He said if the EC is carrying out the move the election would be delayed.

"It will not be wise to carry on the planned delimitation of constituencies," he observed.

Jatiya Party (Ershad) Secretary General Ruhul Amin Howlader termed the move appropriate and timely, as it would remove the discrepancies between continuances.

"The voter will be benefited if the constituencies are re-defined on the basis of population," he observed.

Asked whether there is any possibility of delay in holding the elections if someone files case against the process of delimitation he said it would not affect the entire election; rather elections to some constituencies might be disrupted.

But it will not create any obstacle to hand over power to the party or alliance, which will gain majority of seats in the elections, he explained.

President of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) is of the opinion that the delimitation of constituencies should be carried out but it would have been better had it been done earlier.

He, however, said that the EC should hold discussions with the political parties before carrying out the task.