The main opposition BNP has no objection to holding the next general elections within three months of completion of the present parliament’s tenure if there is a consensus on the poll-time system of government, senior party leaders said on Sunday.
However, BNP will not accept any move to amend the constitution to extend the Awami League-led government’s term without an understanding on a non-party caretaker administration to conduct the elections.
A number of BNP leaders told the Dhaka Tribune that they would extend their support if the government amends the constitution in consultation with the opposition party. The leaders, however, expressed concerns that the government was looking for loopholes in the constitution to stay in power for a longer time.
MK Anwar, a BNP standing committee member, said holding the elections within 90 days before or after the end of the government’s tenure will not be a big problem, as long as the polls are held under a non-partisan interim government.
“Our main demand is elections under a non-partisan government. If the government plans to hold the elections 90 days after the expiration of its tenure and introduces a non-partisan interim government, we will not have any objection,” Anwar said on Sunday.
BNP has been waging a movement to restore the caretaker government system since it was scrapped in a constitutional amendment in 2011 following a high court verdict.
As per the present constitution, elections must be held between October 27 and Januray 24, 2014, when the incumbent parliament completes its five-year term.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP acting secretary general, said the government was hatching a conspiracy to stay in power after the expiration of the parliament’s tenure.
“What will happen after the expiration of the tenure is foggy in the constitution. The government now wants to stay in power for another three months after the tenure ends,” he said.
Meanwhile, a number of senior ruling Awami League leaders, at a meeting held at Law Minister Shafique Ahmed’s residence, reportedly discussed holding the next elections 90 days after the end of the parliament’s tenure, sources said.
Some of the participants at the meeting opined that the constitution should be amended for hold the election 90 days after the end of the parliament’s term, while others said there was no need for an amendment.
However, the law minister on Sunday told journalists that the government had no plan to amend the constitution ahead of the forthcoming elections.
“There is no need to amend the constitution on poll-time government. We are not taking any such step,” Shafique said.
