The New Nation - Internet Edition

Pulack Ghatack

Amid mounting speculations about holding the much-awaited parliamentary polls on December 18, the Election Commission (EC) yesterday backtracked from its decision to announce schedule on November 2 in view of a legal wrangle over re-demarcation of constituencies.

However, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda and advisers of the interim government were optimistic enough to assure that the election will take place in the declared date after removing the obstacles to it.

The High Court yesterday set November 2 for its crucial judgment on the delimitation dispute over electoral constituencies while, the EC yesterday made a separate appeal to the Supreme Court to overturn a stay on the redrawing of constituencies. A full bench of the Supreme Court will hear the EC's appeal on the same day.

CEC Shamsul Huda yesterday told journalists that the Commission would not be able to announce the election schedule on Sunday and they will have to wait until the Court resolves the issue.

"We have no control over the court and so we will have to wait until the Court gives a decision."

About any rethinking to retreat from its decision to hold the general election with re-drawn constituencies he said, "We have no alternatives. Re-demarcation of the electoral seats is our constitutional obligation."

As the radio and television channels broadcast the announcement of the CEC, speculations and rumours gripped the nation over the crucial election for restoration of democracy.

The CEC, however, said that he is still hopeful of staging the general election on December 18. Even if the schedule is deferred, the declared polling date on December 18 would not be changed.

"If the schedule is declared on November 2, we will get more time to prepare. Now we have less time, but it will not hamper the elections," Huda said.

Election commissioners M Sakhawat Hussain and Muhammad Sohul Hussain hoped that the commission would be able to declare the schedule in the first week of November.

Two advisers of the caretaker government also tried to dispel doubts about holding the general election on the declared date.

Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman and Communications Adviser Ghulam Quader yesterday told reporters the parliamentary polls would go ahead as scheduled despite the complicacies over the newly drawn constituencies.

Dr Zillur said the caretaker administration would help stage the general election as planned.

He said, "The preparation for election is underway in full swing. The government has left all doubts behind much earlier. The government is doing everything to ensure the election."

"The government wants to stage the elections with the participation of all parties. It has successfully crossed all the milestones to achieve the target amid the day-to-day uncertainties," the adviser said.

"But it is also important whether the political parties are making the same atmosphere for the people. The politicians will have to make sure whether they will be able to maintain a stable condition after the election," he added.

Ghulam Quader said, "There is no doubt about the upcoming elections whatever the outcome of the re-demarcation of electoral boundaries be."

"There is no confusion that a free and fair election will be held as per the declared date."

On the accord between the government and the political parties on the elections, the adviser said the parties had already said they were going to participate in the elections.

On the demands of the parties to lift the state of emergency prior to elections, Quader said, "We will make the move whenever we feel the necessity."

Asked about the government's stance on banning the loan defaulters and convicted people from elections he said: "The government will stick to its position about the matter."

In view of the latest situation, the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners M Sohul Hussain and Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain went to meet Chief Adviser of the caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at his office in the afternoon.