A number of political parties have said the announcement of the polls schedule would hinder efforts for creating a “level playing field” essential for inclusive elections.
Syed Abu Zafar, general secretary of Communist Party of Bangladesh, said: “The crisis has not been resolved with the announcement of the schedule without ensuring participation of all parties in the elections. The election commission’s decision will only aggravate the crisis.”
Khalequzzaman, secretary of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, said people had been expecting a free and fair election in which all the parties would participate; but the announcement of schedule was a major blow for them.
Bikalphadhara Bangladesh Chief and former president AQM Badruddoza Chowdury on Monday in a party statement condemned the one sided announcement of polls schedule. He also called people to prevent and protest the one sided election.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh Chairman Rezaul Karim, known as Charmonai pir, expressed his concerns and resentment at the announcement. “It has blocked all the ways of consensus,” he said in a party statement after the polls schedule was announced.
Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, working committee member of Jamaat-e-Islami, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Without confirming the participation of all the parties, the election commissioner has announced the schedule. People will resist the election.”
ASM Abdur Rab, president of a faction of Bangladesher Shamajtrantik Dal, said: “All the possibilities of an acceptable election is closed. This has pushed the nation towards a long term crisis.”