The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) Presidium, the apex policymaking body of the party, yesterday decided to sell nomination forms from November 5 to November 7 at the party's central office at Bangabandhu Avenue to choose aspirants candidates.

The form will be available between 10am to 5pm.

The presidium has unanimously welcomed the announcement of schedule for general election. At the same time they reiterated the demand for the deferment of the upazila election.

In an interview to BBC Party chief Sheikh Hasina also called for the deferment of the upazila elections.

Accorfing to the party decision each nominee will have to deposit Tk 7,500 for collecting and submitting the nomination form, AL acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said after the meeting.

The meeting started at acting president Zillur Rahman's Gulshan residence at 10am with Zillur in the chair and continued till 10:45am.

Presidium members Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Motia Chowdhury, Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Ashraful were present at the meeting.

The meeting also decided to hold party's Central Working Committee meeting at 10am at the party Dhanmondi's office today to discuss preparations to welcome Sheikh Hasina on her return home and election issues.

Later, an extended meeting will be held at the same venue at the same day. The members of Dhaka City AL, all associate organisations and leaders from Dhaka and adjoining districts will attend the meeting.

Ashraful said, "The state of emergency must be withdrawn before the election. The election will be tainted, if it is held undera state of emergency."

Demanding deferment of the Upazila election to a 'logical' time he said, "If the process of both the elections continues simultaneously there is a possibility that both elections will be hindered and foiled."

He also believes that the arch political rival BNP will go to the election. "I don't see any sign of BNP not going to the polls. They will make the right decision and go to election," he noted.