The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rafiqul Islam Azad

The vague statements being issued by the leaders of the two major political parties were sending confusing signals to the people though both the parties had earlier accepted the new polls schedule announced by the Election Commission (EC).

While not altogether rejecting the new schedule the AL President Sheikh Hasina has repeatedly termed the shifting of the dates of parliamentary and upazila polls a conspiracy.

Sheikh Hasina also apprehended that the frequent change in the polls schedule was part of a conspiracy to manipulate election results.

However, AL spokes-man Syed Ashraful Islam told reporters that the AL had accepted the new polls date of December 29 but wanted the upazila election schedule cancelled.

The new demand to cancel the upazila election schedule added to the confusion already created in the minds of the voters, eagerly waiting to exercise their right to franchise.

He further said the state of emergency must be withdrawn ahead of the parliamentary polls.

The BNP leaders, on the other hand, have said that their participation in the national election hinged on the withdrawal of the state of emergency by the government.

Reiterating the demands of the four-party alliance, BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain yesterday in a stormy press briefing told reporters that the alliance was intently observing the government moves.

Earlier on Sunday, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia welcomed the rescheduling of the elections, but demanded steps for immediate withdrawal of emergency and suspending Section 91(e) of the RPO to create a congenial atmosphere for the polls.