The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission (EC) will announce the dates for general elections and upazila and Dhaka City Corporation polls after completion of dialogue with the BNP.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda said this yesterday while talking to reporters after delivering a letter of BNP accepting the EC's invitation to join the dialogue.

A two-member BNP delegation, led by BNP Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan, delivered the letter on behalf of party's Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain to the CEC. The CEC hoped that the dialogue with BNP would be held within this week and then the EC would declare particular dates for the general elections and other polls.

"We intend to announce specific dates for all elections at the same time (by this week)," he said Dr Huda, however, said that the EC would not announce election schedules right now.

After the meeting with the CEC, BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters that the BNP is likely to sit in dialogue any day of this week.

He said the BNP wants to discuss with the EC all matters relating to the elections although the EC mentioned in its invitation letter discussion on only party registration.

"The BNP thinks that the voter list ordinance and delimitation of the parliamentary constituencies are election-related issues. So it's necessary to discuss all these issues," he said.

The BNP leader hoped that the EC would agree to discuss these issues and hold a dialogue with the BNP in a day or two.

Asked whether three rounds of talks with BNP was required as with other political parties, the BNP leader said, "If one sitting can solve all problems, several rounds of discussion will not be necessary."

The BNP delegate includes BNP Office Secretary Rizvi Ahmed.

Meanwhile, Adviser for LGRD and Cooperatives M Anwarul Iqbal yesterday told reporters that the EC would announce the election schedule even if BNP did not join the dialogue.

"Time is running fast. If BNP does not hold dialogue with the Election Commission it will announce the election schedule," he said.

The Adviser however said that it would be good if BNP holds talks with the EC. "The Commission will then have to disclose schedule without holding dialogue with them," he explained.

He further said the problem is with time. "They (BNP) will have to give us time. If they give time, the government will hold talks with BNP," he said.