The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Leaders of major political parties yesterday expressed the doubts about the next general election in accordance with the roadmap of the Election Commission due to legal difficulty created by the Commission by carrying out delimitation of constituences.

The apprehensions were expressed following publication of draft of the delimitation work of some 133 parliamentary constituencies out of 300 constituencies by the Election Commission (EC).

In their instant reaction on the EC's move, they observed EC created a new difficulty by carrying out the delimitation work to delay the election.

Secretary General of pro-Khaleda faction of BNP Khondoker Delwar Hossain told reporters that he is not clear about the motive of the Commission to carry out the delimitation work. He thought it would hamper the election.

Khondoker Delwar said they would disclose their formal reaction next week after holding party meeting.

Meanwhile, Awami League leaders at a meeting yesterday urged the Commission to cancel the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies since it might hamper the holding of national elections in line with the electoral roadmap.

Addressing the meeting to mark the historic May Day at the party's central office at Bangabandhu Avenue, AL presidium member Abdur Razzaq questioned as to why the EC took the initiatives delimitating the parliament constituencies.

He demanded cancellation of the delimitation, saying that "The EC should complete the most important tasks relating to the election right now.

Another presidium member Suranjit Sengupta said the EC should settle by June all appeals to be filed against delimitation of the constituencies and the EC should ensure that the appeals are not be submitted to the court.

"It is not a compulsory for the EC to go for delimitation of the parliamentary constituencies. Don't create legal complications in this regard. Otherwise, the election roadmap could be hampered," he said.