The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The pro-reformist BNP faction demanded of the Election Commission (EC) to announce the election date as soon as possible after withdrawal of the state of emergency.

The demand was made when a 15-member delegation of the faction led by party standing committee member Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman held dialogue with the EC on electoral reforms. No other standing committee member of the party attended the dialogue.

During the two hour long meeting, the reformists group strongly protested the provision of no vote and demanded increasing the number of female members of the political parties in phases.

After a prolonged tug-of-war over the BNP leadership, the EC finally decided held the dialogue with the pro-reformist faction of the party leaving out the pro-Khaleda faction led by Khondoker Delwar Hossain.

Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda, addressing the delegation, hoped that all members of the BNP would come with them as one unified party and contest the election.

The pro-reformist BNP faction suggested the Commission vesting the army personnel on

duty during the elections with magisterial power.

Urging the EC to authorise army with the magistracy power, Mahbubur Rahman said maintaining the law and order would become a challenge during the election and it would be under control through the active involvement of army.

Stressing the need for a fair administration to hold a free and fair election, acting secretary general of the reformist BNP Maj (Retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed alleged that the current administration is under the influence of a particular political party and there are people of `Janatar Manch' holding the top most positions in the administration.

"We want a neutral administration during and before elections," the BNP leader said.

The delegation suggested the Commission minimising the electoral expenditure as much as possible.

Regarding the use of transparent ballot box in the elections, they said they would welcome it, if possible.

Opposing the culture of displaying poster here and there during the election period, Mahbubur Rahman said, "All kinds of poster be banned everywhere. It'll be a new electoral culture. Instead of poster, there should be handbills that will reduce the electoral expenditure."

In his welcome speech, the CEC said the EC had been waiting to hold dialogue with BNP since November last year.

"Whatever be the reason, it has been delayed. At last you have come, which is a matter of great pleasure for us," he said.

Election Commissioners-M Sohul Hussain and Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain were present at the dialogue.

Emerging from the dialogue, Mahbubur Rahman told reporters that they sought the release of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

About the unity between the two factions, he said the unity is a matter of time and they are communicating with the party leaders at different level.

"BNP is a big party and a total entity, and the delegation represents the total entity. The process of our unity will continue and it will be stronger in the course of time. We will face the challenges together in future," he said.

The delegation also include party vice president and former minister Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf, former minister Dr Osman Faruk, chairperson's adviser AHM Mofazzal Karim, ZA Khan, MA Hakim, former lawmaker Abdul Alim, Shah Md Abul Hossain, Nazir Hossain, Abdul Khalek Chontu, Nasirul Haque Sabu, Dr Ziaul Haque Mollah and Tasmim Rana.

With the dialogue the EC wrapped up its dialogue with major political parties on electoral reforms.

A large number of people wearing printed forehead bands inscribed with Chhatra Dal and Juba Dal, rallied outside the Election Commission during the dialogue.

Meanwhile, secretary general of pro-Khaleda BNP Khondoker Delwar Hossain termed the Election Commission's dialogue with the pro-reformist BNP faction a "blueprint dialogue".

"BNP will not go to any election or dialogue without Khaleda Zia. The two leaders have to be released for a fair election," he said while talking to reporters at his NAM flat residence yesterday.

Khondoker Delwar said the pro-reformists are isolated from the mainstream BNP and the people.

Replying to a question the BNP leader said they would join the pre-dialogue talks if they were invited.

He termed the case filed against BNP leaders and supporters with Tejgaon police on Saturday false and fabricated.