The BNP-led 20-Party Alliance has decided to contest in the upcoming 11th general election.
Oli Ahmed, president of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), one of the coalition members of the 20-Party Alliance, announced their decision at a press briefing at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office yesterday.
“We are participating in the election, though most of our demands have not yet been met. However, we are taking part in the polls to maintain democracy,” he said.
Oli, a former BNP leader, also said: “We appeal to the prime minister to release our alliance leader, Khaleda Zia, before the election.”
The alliance demanded the polls be deferred by a month. According to the schedule declared by the commission the election will be held on December 23.
It also demanded the army be deployed with magistracy power seven days prior to and following the election.
Oli added that they will continue a political movement demanding the cases against BNP Khaleda Zia be removed.
He urged the prime minister to direct law enforcement agencies to stop arresting BNP activists and filing cases against them.
The LDP chief said that they will decide on the submission of nomination papers and electoral symbols later.
The alliance Coordinator Nazrul Islam Khan and other leaders of the coalition were present at the briefing.
The Election Commission has set the deadline to submit nomination papers to November 19, the date to scrutinize nomination papers to November 22, and the last date to withdraw nomination papers to November 29.
Oikya Front to contest election
Jatiya Oikya Front, a political alliance of parties that includes the BNP, will also take part in the 11th general election, but has urged the Election Commission to defer the polls date by a month.
The alliance leaders made the announcement at a press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka yesterday.
The alliance said they have not fallen back from the 7-point demand that includes the release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail, and election under a non-partisan government.
The decision of taking part in the election is a part of the movement to restore democracy, the leaders said.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir read out the announcement on behalf of Oikya Front’s top leader Dr Kamal Hossain.
Fakhrul said they have made the decision despite the extreme adverse situation and the demand of re-announcing the polls schedule will be added to their 7-point demand.
He said the government is yet to ensure a level-playing field to hold a free and fair election.
Different television channels, including the state-owned BTV, are telecasting the government's promotional work despite the schedule being declared, which is in clear breach of the electoral code of conduct, Fakhrul claimed.
The BNP leader also criticized the government and the Election Commission for not refraining from deciding to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the polls despite reservations expressed by many opposition parties.
Fakhrul said apart from preparing for the election, the alliance will also keep an eye on the commission and the government’s attitude. “They will have to face consequences if the demands are not met,” he added.
In favour of their demand of deferring the schedule, he cited an example from the 2008 election, saying that polls schedule was deferred twice to ensure participation of the then four-party alliance.
“It is possible to hold the election within the incumbent parliament’s tenure if the schedule is deferred by a month,” he added.
In response to a question, Dr Kamal Hossain said the movement will be on-going with their demands to ensure a fair environment for the upcoming election.
Asked if the parties under the alliance will run under a single electoral symbol, Fakhrul said they will announce that later.
The Election Commission will announce today, if the upcoming 11th general election will be deferred.
“The decision will be taken tomorrow (Monday),” CEC KM Nurul Huda told reporters yesterday evening when asked about demands made by several political parties, including Jatiya Oikya Front, to delay the election.
Meanwhile, Jukta Front Chairman AKM Badruddoza Chowdhury sent a letter to the CEC requesting an extension of the nomination deadline. A Jukta Front delegation, led by central leader Barrister Omar Faruk, submitted a letter to EC Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed.
Speaking to reporters following his meeting with the Helal Uddin, Omar Faruk said: “We wish to run as a coalition, and will therefore request an extension to this deadline.”