The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Regulatory Commission Chairman Dr Akbar Ali Khan yesterday said there is no provision in the constitution to shift the national election declared by the caretaker government to be held on December 18.

"If the election is not held within the scheduled date, the activities of the caretaker government will lose legal and ethical ground," he told the reporters while coming out from the concluding day programme of the two-day long South Asia Regional Conference on 'Managing Food Price Inflation' at Radisson Water Garden Hotel in the city.

The Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) and the World Bank (WB) jointly organised the conference.

Akbar Ali, a former adviser to the caretaker government, said that BNP must participate in the national election in its own interest. " Political parties will not only harm themselves but also the nation if they refrain from participating in the upcoming election," he noted.

"By taking part in the election BNP will be able to pinpoint where and how it was held unfairly," he mentioned.

Replying to a question, he said the Government is yet to clarify its stance in clear terms on the date of the parliamentary election.

The Government must clarify its position within 24 hours to 48 hours if the Jatiya Sangsad election will be held on December 18, he said. To another question on how the election will be free, fair and credible without participation of BNP, he said that if the majority voters cast their votes, it will be considered a free and fair election. "In that event none will question who has participated in the election and who has not."

Asked about the prolonged emergency rule in the country, he said, "Our constitution doesn't allow the long-term emergency rule in the country."

"If BNP and Awami League jointly call for withdrawal of the emergency rule, the caretaker government will lift it fully before the election," he further said.

On food security issue, the Regulatory Commission Chairman said that foodgrains production must have to be increased for reducing the prices essential commodities.

"We have invested little in the agriculture sector in last two decades. Besides, the subsidy provided to the sector was also poor," he said.

Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said that the government is trying its best to create a congenial atmosphere to hold the national election in a free, fair and credible manner.

Replying to a question about the holding of the election according to timeframe, he said that the national election will be held on the schedule date.

He called upon the political parties to play responsible role for holding the forth-coming election according to schedule.

On the sudden price hike of the essential commodities, the commerce adviser said that the businessmen should play responsible role to ease sufferings of the people.

Several papers on 'Medium and Long-Term Agricultural Supply Response,' 'Poverty Impact,' 'Safety Net Issues and Food Security in South Asia: the Way Forward' were presented by Michal Rutkowski, Tara Vishwanath, Mansura Rashid of World Bank. Bangladesh Bank Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Dr Syed M Hashemi, Dr Mahabub Hossain, Dr Asaduzzaman, addressed, among others, in the conference.