The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Awami League yesterday apprehended that the Election Commission might fail to hold the elections within the timeframe announced as per polls roadmap, if they were to wait for seven months to know about the election schedule.

"The Election Commission-declared electoral roadmap might be hampered if the election schedule is announced seven months later as stated by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda," Acting Awami League (AL) President Zillur Rahman told a view exchange meeting at his Gulshan residence with a note of dissatisfaction over the CEC's remark.

CEC Dr Huda on Sunday said they would have to wait for about seven more months to knowing the schedule for the parliamentary elections, which was stalled for over a year following a crisis created due to the uncompromising stances of the BNP-led four-party alliance and AL-led grand alliance.

Zillur Rahman said it was not possible to hold the election within 2008 if the polls schedule would be announced seven months later.

"According to the Chief Election Commissioner's remark, the election schedule would be announced in October. Then how it would be possible to conclude the election process within 2008?" he posed a question and urged the Commission to hold election within July this year.

Urging the Caretaker Government to lift the state of emergency immediately, Zillur Rahman said such situation was not prevailing in the country, which calls for the continuation of emergency.

Asked whether they would launch movement to free detained party President Sheikh Hasina, he said they were continuing their movement despite a number of limitations as the country is now passing through state of emergency.

Zillur Rahman reiterated the demand for the immediate release of Sheikh Hasina, also a former Prime Minister, and handover power to an elected Government after holding a free, fair and neutral election.

He further demanded trial of the war criminals, saying, "The people of the country are united for the trial of the war criminals."

Bangladesh Juba Mahila League, a front organisation of the AL, organised the view exchange meeting with President Nazma Akter in the chair.

AL leaders Prof Nazma Rahman and Dr Dipu Moni also spoke on the occasion. Jubo Mahila League General Secretary Apu Ukil conducted the programme, which was participated by its leaders Sabina Akter Tuhin and Farida Yasmin.