The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Shrugging off political parties' swinging criticism and protest against the Election Commission's act of delimitating the electoral constituencies, Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat Hussain Sunday said they wouldn't budge an inch on their decision on realigning the electorates.

The EC, on May 30, announced the draft on delimitation of 133 out of 300 electoral constituencies as part of their tasks under 18-month-long election roadmap announced on July 15 last year. "There is nothing to say new. We'll do it," he said when journalists sought his comment about the political parties' fulmination over the EC announcement of draft delimitation.

"No, we won't," Shakhawat said replying to a query if the EC would withdraw its decision of delimitating the constituencies as the political parties are strongly against the move.

He took no exception in such criticism and protest as he said political parties are used to telling such things and so he has no reaction regarding the matter.

Meanwhile, BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain on Sunday alleged that the EC's recent draft redefining of the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies is not legal. "Delimitation of constituencies had already been done as per article 65 (2) of the Constitution," he said, adding that a settled issue has been made controversial by the EC.

Earlier on May 3, Jamaat secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid

demanded withdrawal of the EC's draft gazette notification re-demarcating the constituencies.

In a statement, Mujahid said the EC took the unilateral decision in disregard of public opinion.

On May 2, Awami League disapproved of the EC move for delimitation of the parliamentary constituencies, saying that constitutionally the EC has no jurisdiction to do that.

"As per the constitution, the Election Commission is entrusted with the job of holding only parliamentary elections. It cannot get involved in policy works like delimitation process. We fully reject the EC move," acting AL general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam told journalists on the day.