Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said the Election Commission (EC) will announce the schedule for the upcoming parliamentary polls in the first week of November.
The ruling party leader made the statement while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday, reports UNB.
“BNP’s demand for a neutral government to oversee the general election goes beyond the guidelines of the constitution. They are insisting on it in order to create anarchy in an otherwise-peaceful country,” he said.
Quader, also the road, transport and bridges minister, said there is no need for a neutral government as the demand should be made for a neutral election. “The Election Commission will conduct the election, so the body needs to be neutral as law enforcement agencies will remain under the commission.”
The jurisdiction of the election-time government will be limited, and it will be formed by October, said Quader.
“BNP wants to create anarchy in peaceful Bangladesh… in fact, they want a special emergency government,” he added.
“There is no point in inviting BNP to participate in the election. An election is not a private function that will be held at my house to which I will invite them. All political parties will participate in the election. No one will wait for BNP,” the AL leader quipped.
About giving permission to BNP for their rally at Suhrawardy Udyan today, Quader said, “BNP has been given permission as the government is cordial to them. Conditions are not the issue here, as even we, despite being in power, cannot arrange a rally without police permission. So why is it a problem for BNP to seek permission?”
In response to a query about the Digital Security Act, Quader said the information minister is to hold a meeting with the Editors’ Council at the secretariat today regarding the issue.
