The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The third round of dialogue between the Election Commission (EC) and political parties kicked off yesterday with the demands for holding of the stalled general elections before the upazila polls and declaring a specific date for the parliamentary elections.

The parties also demanded for relaxing the conditions for party registration with extension of the timeframe and withhold the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies before the general polls.

On the first day, a total of four political parties took part in the dialogue separately. The parties are-Jatiya Party (Ershad), Worker Party of Bangladesh, Ganotantrik Party and Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal (ML).

The Commission piloted the third round of dialogue aiming at smoothing the differences brewing over the schedule of upazila and national polls and registration of political parties in accordance with new electoral laws.

The EC side comprised Chief Election Commission Dr ATM Shamsul Huda, Election Commissioners-Muhammad Sohul Hossain and Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain and EC secretary Muhammad Humayun Kabir.

During the dialogue, Jatiya Party, which earlier demanded for upazila polls first, did a U-turn saying that they have no objection if the parliamentary elections are held before the upazila polls.

Emerging from the dialogue Jatiya Party Chairman and former HM Ershad told reporters that his party earlier had demanded holding of the upazila polls before general election apprehending that the local-body polls might not be held after general elections.

He, however, said that his party would abide by the decision of the Commission, in case the upazila election is held after the parliamentary polls.

"I have created upazilas and the people of the country accepted those very well. The Jatiya Party is ready to participate in the upazila elections whenever they are held," he said.

Regarding party registration, the JP Chairman, who for the first time personally met the Commission, said his party has no difference of opinion with the EC on registration of political parties but time is required to amend the party constitution.

Ershad did not participate directly in the first and second rounds though other JP leaders attended.

The JP delegation included Quzi Zafar Ahmed, ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader, Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud and GM Qader.

Rashed Khan Menon, President of Workers Party of Bangladesh, which was the first party to sit with the EC yesterday, told reporters that his party demanded holding of the upazila elections after the parliamentary polls.

He said specific dates for both the national and upazila polls can be declared simultaneously but the general polls should be held first.

The WP President said they discussed the matters of party registration, the revised Representation of People Order (RPO) and election atmosphere.

"We've told the commission to allow party front organisations of teachers and students for the time being," Menon said.

He demanded of the government for lifting the state of emergency immediately for holding a free and fair election.

Replying to a question, Menon said the CEC assured them that the Commission would take its decisions in consultation with parties."

The WP delegation also includes Bimol Biswas, Haider Akbar Khan Rono, Fazley Hossain Badsha and Anisur Rahman Millik.

Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal (ML) demanded declaration of a specific date for the general election and extending the timeframe for party registration.

Dilip Barua, president of the party and leader of the delegation told reporters that his party urged the Commission to make some conditions flexible for the registration.

"We have asked the Commission to maintain the extension for six months after national elections to fulfil the conditions of the registration," he said.

Ganotantrik Party president Nurul Islam told reporters that his party extended supported to the party registration since it is necessary for transparency and accountability.

He, however, opined that emergency should be withdrawn in the context of the present situation.

Nurul Islam urged the Commission to put on hold the delimitation of the parliamentary constituencies following the High Court order of stay.

According to the schedule, the Commission will sit with BNP, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal today.

A total of 16 political parties are participating in the current phase of dialogue.

It may be mentioned that the general polls are scheduled to be held in the third week of December and the Commission is planning to hold the long-overdue upazila elections first, along with election to Dhaka City Corporation, tentatively in-between October 23 and 30.