Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) wants the removal of ambiguity over the next national elections.
“The party feels that as the days pass, the uncertainty over the elections is increasing. A BNP delegation will meet the chief adviser of the interim government to clearly understand it,” BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told the media.
Earlier, the BNP informed that a BNP delegation led by its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will join the meeting scheduled to be held at 12 noon on Wednesday at the residence of the chief adviser, the State Guest House Jamuna.
“This time, the subject of the meeting with the chief adviser is a little different. We are basically going to talk directly about the elections. Because, last time we met with the chief adviser, he assured that the national elections will be held between December and June next year. We were also confident in his words because 18 months is enough to complete the necessary reforms and hold a free, fair and impartial election,” said Ahmed.
“We had told the chief adviser then that he would discuss with the Election Commission based on the roadmap you gave regarding the elections and clearly present the issue to the nation. But we did not see any such initiative from the chief adviser. But at various times, it was mentioned in the speeches of the government’s advisers that the people want them for five years. The chief adviser’s press secretary also said that the elections will be held between December and June. As a result, there is a kind of ambiguity over the elections,” he said.
The BNP standing committee member said the Chief Adviser has repeatedly said that the elections will be held by December this year.
“We will try to know and understand the government’s stance on the date of the elections specifically. Accordingly, we will call on him to announce the election roadmap," said Ahmed.
In response to a question, what other issues could be discussed in the meeting besides the elections, Salahuddin Ahmed said, "We will also want to know what the Chief Advisor meant by small reforms or big reforms. The reform process is underway. The BNP is also talking about reforms. A meeting is also being held with the National Consensus Commission on this issue. A roadmap for the elections cannot be given while the reform process is underway, this cannot be the case!”
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
