The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman on Thursday hoped that the coming elections would reflect hopes and aspirations of the people through united efforts of all concerned.

He said all stakeholders, particularly the political parties and the government, have similar responsibilities to bring qualitative changes in politics through free, fair and credible elections.

The Commerce Adviser was addressing a joint press briefing at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) on Thursday afternoon following the government's dialogue with Jatiya Party (JP).

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed was present at the dialogue, the 27th of its kind. Jatiya Party (JP) Secretary General Sheikh Shahidul Islam led a nine-member delegation of his party at the talks.

Dr Hossain Zillur said the government is taking all out measures to arrange such an election in December next which will be different from the polls held in the past.

He said all quarters, specially the political parties, have to come forward in making a sustainable change of the traditional anarchic political culture in the country.

The commerce adviser categorically said that any difference, if exists, will be overcome through discussion instead of turning it into an issue of conflict.

Referring to participation of some candidates belonging to "negative politics" in the coming city corporation and pourasabha polls, he said it is a wake up call and the political parties should take steps to this end.

He said meaningful political transformation would not be possible without united efforts of all concerned.

Replying to a question on the Representation of People Ordinance which was approved in principle recently in a meeting of the council of advisers, he said the government will consider the matter if any opinion on the ordinance comes from society.

In the briefing, Jatiya Party Secretary General Sheikh Shahidul Islam said they had placed five recommendations to the government in the dialogue for holding a credible election in the country.

He said the recommendations included compelling the candidates to obey the election code of conduct, keeping the war criminals out of the election race and formation of a national committee involving all political parties.

Sheikh Shahid said Jatiya Party wants the government to go forward to its goal of holding a meaningful election as per the roadmap and hand over power to an elected government next year.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, LGRD Adviser Mohammad Anwarul Iqbal and Law Adviser AF Hassan Ariff were present at the briefing.

JP Presidium members Abdur Rahim, Ms Amena Bari and Shah Mohammad Rafiqul Bari Chowdhury, Vice-President Abu Sayeed Khan and Additional Secretary General Sadeq Siddique were also present.