The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) presidium member Amir Hossain Amu yesterday urged the Caretaker Government to extend the time frame for the registration of political parties, as it will be impossible to fulfill the conditions of registration by the deadline of September 15.

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) at a press conference yesterday asked the political parties to complete its registration, which will start on August 27and end on September 15.

AL leader was speaking at a discussion meeting organised by Bangladesh Muktijoddha Parishad to mark the 33rd martyred anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the National Press Club.

Amu demanded complete withdrawal of emergency to facilitate the holding of the national council of the party to be participated by hundreds party leaders and activists. The huge gathering of the party leaders and activists is not possible under the emergency rule, he said justifying his demand for the withdrawal of the state of emergency.

When asked whether AL would participate in the parliamentary election under the state of emergency, Amu said we firmly demand complete lifting of emergency before the election.

Referring to the comments of HM Ershad of Jatiya party that the political parties should participate in the election under the state of emergency Amu said, " He (Ershad) may made any comments of his liking. We have no headache about his comments."

AL presidium member Suranjit Sen Gupta said, " We are not against the registration of the political parities. But it is not possible to hold national council under the state of emergency to bring out reform in the party's constitution, which is the prime pre-requisite for registration. So the government should withdraw the state of emergency immediately."

About the recently announced "Representative of peoples' Ordinance-2008" he said the government should amend some rules of the ordinance through negotiation with the political parties.

About the coming back of HM Ershad to the grand alliance he said, " If Ershad desires to join again in the grand alliance, he will have to abide by all the decision of the alliance."

Mahbubuddin Bir Bikram, Chairman of Bangladesh Mukti Joddha Parishad, presided over the meeting.

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