The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Awami League yesterday formally decided to participate in election of four city corporations and nine municipalities scheduled for August 4.

The party’s Acting President Zillur Rahman yesterday disclosed this at a press briefing after a three-hour central working committee meeting, at their Dhanmondi office.

“We have collectively taken the decision of participating in the local government polls before the parliamentary election for the sake of re-restoration of democracy and improvement of law and order in the country”, said Zillur.

He emphasised on complete lifting of emergency to create a congenial atmosphere for taking preparation for the polls.

“We have repeatedly asked the government for lifting emergency instead of relaxing it. But they did not heed to our request. The Election commission always tried to overlook the demand’, Zillur complained.

He hoped that the government would withdraw emergency before the polls.

The AL leader also demanded the extension of date of nomination submission as the present date was the similar date of government sponsored dialogue with the AL.

Zillur asked the government to announce the national election for December as per the roadmap and unconditional release of party chief Sheikh Hasina, now abroad on treatment being released for eight weeks on June 11.

He demanded that ailing Awami League leader Mohammad Nasim be sent abroad immediately for better treatment.

He diplored that Nasim has not been sent abroad till now despite assurances from the government.

Earlier, the Awami League top brass, including Zillur Rahman, had termed the announcement of local-body election schedule conspiratorial and farcical.

The AL leadership did allege that holding of the local elections would hamper the general election. Some presidium members had stated that no election was possible under the state of emergency.

The party leaders later said a final decision would be taken in the Awami League presidium and working committee meetings, which was held yesterday.