Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad on Tuesday urged the two major political parties — ruling Awami League and opposition BNP — to reach a compromise over the election-time cabinet before the time is over. “The time for reaching a compromise is slipping away… time is very short. We hope the two main political parties will be able to make a clear headway (in reaching a consensus) before the time runs out,” he said. The CEC came up with the remarks before leaving his EC secretariat office in the afternoon. He said the commission on December 19 requested the President for taking an initiative for a political compromise, but it is yet to see any concrete headway over it though two weeks have elapsed. Asked whether the election is going to be unilateral one after Ershad’s announcement for withdrawing nomination papers submitted by his party aspirants, the CEC said, “Let’s wait, it’ll take a shape after the (deadline Dec 13) withdrawal of candidatures.” Replying to a query if the candidatures of Jatiya Party candidates get withdrawn automatically with its chairman announcement, the CEC said there are specific rules and provisions in this connection. “It’s a matter of law.” “The returning offices are field-level representatives of the commission in this regard. They’ll examine the rules and provisions. They’ll enforce the law. We’re just the appellate authority.” Earlier in the day, Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad at a press conference announced that his party will boycott the 10th parliamentary polls slated for January 5 next. – UNB
