The New Nation - Internet Edition

We heave a sigh of relief and we are thankful to Awami League, BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, JP, and many other important political parties that after a 'to be or not to be' they have applied for registration with Election Commission as per road map for the coming general election December 18, 2008.

We are, however, not contented with the demand of the Awami League that unless the Awami League President Sk. Hasina is permanently and unconditionally released and the state of emergency is withdrawn Awami League would boycott the election.

Similarly the BNP demands withdrawal of the emergency or they would not take part in the general election.

We are of the opinion that boycott or no boycott, participation or no participation in the general election December 18 by Sk. Hasina, Begum Khaleda Zia, Dr. Kamal Hussain, Dr. Badruddoza Chowdhury, Rashed Khan Menon, Hasanul Huq Enu, Col Oli Ahmed, Matiur Rahman Nizami, H.M. Ershad and any other political leader is dispensable.

But participation of our people, our voters, in the general election is indispensable for welfare of our people, right to exercise franchise, elect a national Parliament Jatiya Sangsad, form a people's representatives democratic and fully accountable government in the country and our march to peace, progress and prosperity.

Let us all, hand in hand, our people, political leaders and Caretaker government forgeting and forgiving our past bitterness march forward and don't loiter aimlessly in the dark tunnel with no light at its end.

O.H. Kabir

Dhaka