Dhaka, Nov 14 – Jatiya Oikya Front on Tuesday said their participation in the elections depends on the behaviour of the government and the Election Commission (EC).“The participation of Oikya Front in the elections depends on the behaviour of the election time government and the Election Commission,” Oikya FFront spokesperson and Bangladesh Nationalist Party
(BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir said.
In reply to a query of the clash between law enforcers and BNP leaders and workers before their party office during colleting forms, he said, “It is not at all a good omen.”
Oikya Front also said EC has expressed their regrets for the clash between police and BNP men.
Fakrul said this to the journalists after hailing from a two-hour long meeting between Oikya Frontleaders and EC led by Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda at the Election Bhaban in the capital.
In reply to a query whether they have talked about the release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, he said, “We have talked about the release of Khaleda Zia before EC. The election would not be fruitful without her. EC said they would have a look at it.”
“We demanded for the deferral of elections for three weeks. They said they would discuss it at the Commission meeting and take a decision in this regard,” he said.
About Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Fakrul said, “We told them not to use EVMs in elections at all. But they said they would use it in a small scale not the whole country in the city corporation areas.
They also said if they find that EVM is not secured they would consider it.”
About Army deployment, he said, “They have already taken the decision to deploy Army as a strike force. They would now decide whether Army would be deployed in every polling station.”
“We have talked about the transfer in public administration and police administration during the election. EC said they would consider it,” he added.
About the withdrawal fictitious and harassing cases against the leaders of BNP, Fakrul said, “EC has sought list from us. We have told them to direct the police administration not to file fictitious cases.
EC said they would positively think of it.”
About the security of polling agents, he said, “EC has ensured us about the safety and security of the polling agents and the elections observers will have no bar to observe the polls.”
About the media, he said, “Media will have no bar but they are negative about the live broadcast of the events at the centres.”
He further said, “EC has listened to us. Every time they listen but how much they will fulfil the demands, people and media will decide it.”
“We think a free and fair poll is possible if EC exercise its constitutional power properly for all political parties that will contest the polls,” he added.
Dr Kamal Hossain said they have elaborately discussed with EC about their demands and allegations they had.
“The Commission has given us answers elaborately and sought cooperation and pledges us to cooperate our demands for hold free and fair polls. We are satisfied they have listened to our speeches,” he
said.
About the alleged police attack on the leaders and workers of BNP, Dr Kamal said, “EC has expressed their regrets for it.”
About the deferment of elections for one month, he said, “EC would consider it.”
Earlier, a 14-member delegation led by Dr Kamal Hossain sat with the CEC and three other election commissioners.
Among the Oikya Frontleaders, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Moudud Ahmed and Krishak Sramik Janata League President Kader Siddique, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, were present. – Staff Reporter
