The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday firmly stated that the forthcoming elections would be held within the stipulated time at any cost.

"There is no valid reason to doubt the elections taking place in due time," he said while addressing an opinion exchange meeting with the Peshajibi Somonnoy Parishad (PSP), a forum of different professional groups, at the election Commission office.

The CEC said the Commission must do it as what he said this is their promise to the people of the country.

"I do not know why there is a doubt that the elections will not be held by the end of December this year," he said adding, "Do or die, we will complete the polls."

Referring to the recent meeting with the Chief Adviser, the CEC said the he (Chief Adviser) also said that there is no turning back.

"Personally me and the Commission get puzzled as to why there should be doubt on holding elections by December," he said. The CEC also mentioned his meet with the Army Chief at police parade recently saying the army chief also repeatedly asked if everything is all right, being done timely.

He said there are now part of government and, here, the Commission is not getting any indication that there is any dillydallying about elections or will not be done in time.

"We are right on schedule and we know that entire credibility depends on holding the elections within 2008," he said.

Shamsul Huda said the election schedule would be declared after completion of the voter list with photographs.

The PSP delegation expressed their apprehension to the EC that the elections might be delayed due to the EC step of delimitating the constituencies.

In reply to them, the CEC said if the delimitation activities create obstacles in holding the polls in time the Commission has its alternative.

"We have many plans. We will adopt another if one does not work. But the elections must take place, we are saying to assure you (PSP leaders) again," he said.

He hoped that the draft of dialogue with the political parties would be completed within the current month.

Peshajibi Somonnoy Parishad put up 15-point suggestions and recommendations, including announcing the war criminals ineligible to contest the polls.

A 12-member PSP delegation, led by its convenor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Editor of Bangladesh Observer, met the CEC on holding of free, fair and neutral elections.

The delegation suggested lifting the state of emergency immediately, starting dialogue this month and publishing specific timetable and agenda of the dialogue to end the first phase of the talks.

About the PSP's suggestion for utilising transparent ballot boxes during in elections, CEC Huda said the EC decided positively on it and was waiting just to determine the process of acquiring the boxes.

Regarding the PSP suggestion not to link up the dialogue between political parties and the government with the dialogue between the political parties and the EC, the CEC said the Commission could recommend the CA on it.

On EC's delayed in holding political dialogue, he said the elections could not wait for holding dialogue with only one party-meaning the split BNP.

We have to work simultaneously. One thing is linked up to another like the second-round dialogue with the political parties and with the BNP, he said.

He said after completing the dialogue laws will have to be made by March, as per election roadmap. "Thereafter, the political parties will be registered by June," he said.