Election Commissioner Abu Hafiz on Wednesday said it is not still clear to the Election Commission under which situation the next general election would be held as it cannot be sure whether the Prime Minister’s Monday’s statement was final.
“The Commission doesn’t know whether the statement of the Prime Minister that the election would be held without dissolving parliament is the final,” he told reporters at his EC secretariat office. He said the Commission will have to wait as the situation is still evolving and it will take steps when it will take the final shape.
Hafiz, however, hoped that finally there will be a political understanding over the election system and all parties will join the next general election. “Time hasn’t come yet where and how the level-playing field will be created. Is the Prime Minister’s speech that election will be held keeping parliament in place final? We don’t know whether it is her final word. We can’t understand whether the issue has been finalised,” he said replying to a query over what the measures the commission has taken to create a level-playing field.
“I don’t know if her (PM) statement is final. But time will say it. We’re considering whatever she said. Actually, time will say what will be final situation,” he said adding that the Election Commission is waiting for the final decision.
He said the Commission is now taking all sorts of preparation. “But, we don’t know under which situation the election will be held finally. We’ll take steps considering the ‘final situation’. Hafiz said it is still not clear to the Commission whether the election will be held keeping parliament in place or dissolving it.
But the issue of dissolving parliament or not dissolving does not depend on political decision. “The Commission is now taking its as usual preparation for the general election.” When the political issue will be finalised, the EC will take necessary steps to create a level-playing field considering the situation, he said.
Replying to a query, “It’s not only the Election Commissioner, but also all want an election to be participated by all political parties.” He hoped that politicians will reach a consensus and will not work against the country’s interest. Hafiz said, “We’ll want all parties to join the election. We think BNP will take part in the election. BNP is a major party. Why the party will not participate in the election?” – UNB
