The ruling Awami League-led 14-party alliance has partially agreed to the seven-point demands placed by the Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury-led Jukta Front at Friday’s dialogue on the next general election.
The dialogue began at 7:30pm and continued for three hours at the prime minister’s official residence Ganabhaban.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led a 23-member delegation from the 14-party alliance at the dialogue, while the Jukta Front delegation was comprised of 21 members.
A total of 20 members of the Jukta Front delegation addressed the dialogue, while just three senior leaders of the Awami League-led alliance spoke.
“The dialogue was dominated by the Jukta Front leaders. They placed a number of demands and we have agreed to most of them,” Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said after the dialogue.
“All the demands cannot be accepted, as some are related to the constitution. However, we would like to thank the Jukta Front leaders, as most of their demands do not require amendments to the constitution,” he added.
“We do not think they strongly demanded an election-time government or changes to the government,” Quader further said. “The prime minister told the Jukta Front delegation the dissolution of parliament for the election was not possible, as it was beyond the constitution.”
However, the 14-party alliance agreed to Jukta Front’s demand for ensuring a level playing field for all electoral candidates.
The Awami League-led alliance also agreed to Jukta Front’s demand for Election Commission initiatives to ensure no lawmaker could inaugurate a project or make promises in their electoral areas after the election schedule is announced.
“Lawmakers will not have any influence in electoral areas after the schedule is announced, as per electoral code of conduct. We have agreed to it,” Quader said.
Furthermore, the 14-party alliance agreed to demands for bringing people directly or indirectly associated with elections under the jurisdiction of Election Commission, and placing the commission completely under the president’s jurisdiction.
Regarding the demands for ministers and lawmakers to give up government facilities and for the taking down of billboards and banners after the schedule is announced, Quader claimed these measures were in effect during the last election and would be this time as well.
“We have partially agreed to their demand for limiting the power of the current government in the election process. It has already been limited,” the Awami League general secretary added.
On Jukta Front’s fears that electronic voting machines (EVMs) will not be appropriate for the election, Quader said the prime minister will talk to the president regarding their concerns. “Everything will be done as per the relevant ordinance.”
Quader also said Jukta Front had been asked to submit a list of the political prisoners they wanted freed, for consideration by the prime minister after investigation.
“The dialogue seemed to be positive, and it appears Jukta Front will participate in the election,” he added.
In his immediate reaction, Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury said they discussed many issues at the dialogue, and it appeared that the ruling alliance had agreed to many of their proposals.