The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Peshajibi Samannoy Parishad, a group of professionals, yesterday demanded the Election Commission take measures to hold a free, fair and acceptable general election.

The group in a 10-point charter of demand said the national election be held first before any other election with participation of all political parties.

They made the demand as a delegation led by its convenor Qazi Faruque visited the Election Commission to express their views on the impending polls. Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda and his deputies Sakhawat Hossain and Sahul Hossain were present during the meeting with the group.

The parishad leaders took position against the people who are known as "war criminals" and urged the commission to prevent them from joining the election. But they demanded the commission allow non-government teachers to contest local body elections.

The group opposed the commission's move to ban front organisations of the political parties abroad and impose 'no vote' provisions. It asked the commission to declare 'fundamentalist political groups' disqualified for registration with it.

In a post-meeting briefing, delegation Chief Qazi Faruque told reporters that the Election Commission should announce the election schedule as early as possible.

Journalist and delegation member Iqbal Soban Chowhury suggested the commission not to take any measure that can confuse the nation.

He said the commission should not hold any election before national one.

"We've told the EC to ensure an election free from terrorism and black money," he said.

About election observers, Iqbal said the commission should not allow controversial and partisan people to monitor the elections.

Other members of the delegation are Dr Qamrul Hasan Khan, Adv Yusuf Hossain Humayun, Prof Moazzem Hossain, Abdus Sabur, MA Aziz, Prof Asadul Haque, Agriculturists Saidur Rahman and Qamruzzaman, M Azizul Islam, engr Wasel Kabir, Dr Sarfuddin Ahmed, engr Monjurul Haque and Dr Imran Hossain Khan.