Early polls feasible as EC to finalise voter list by June: BNP
NN Online:
BNP Senior Leader Nazrul Islam Khan has said the next election could be held soon, as the Election Commission (EC) expects to finalise the updated voter list by May or June.
He made these remarks while speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday at Nirbachon Bhaban.
“From their (EC’s) words, it seems to us that they will be ready for the election with a completely updated voter list by May or June,” he said.
Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, however, said the EC does not have the authority to make the final decision regarding the election.
According to the constitution and conventional rules, he said, a parliamentary election must be held in the country within 90 days of the resignation of a government, but currently, the country is not being run in accordance with that law.
The BNP said the government now needs to request the Election Commission to conduct the election based on political consensus.
“But, we understand that if the complete voter list is ready by next May and June, then a quick election is possible by addressing other relevant issues,” he said.
Earlier, a three-member BNP delegation had a meeting with the Election Commission (EC), including the Chief Election Commissioner, to discuss various issues, including preparations for the upcoming national election.
The hour-long meeting that began at 3:30pm was held in the conference room of the Agargaon Nirbachon Bhaban.
The delegation, led by Nazrul Islam Khan, participated in the meeting. The other members of the BNP delegation were party Standing Committee members Salahuddin Ahmed and Selima Rahman.
Alongside the Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, Election Commissioners Anwarul Islam Sarkar, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Begum Tahmida Ahmad, and Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, as well as EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, participated in the meeting.
Before the formal meeting, the BNP delegation entered the Election Building and met with the Chief Election Commissioner at his office around 3pm. Later, they joined the formal meeting with the EC.
This was the BNP’s first official meeting with the newly formed Election Commission, which was established on November 21 under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasiruddin.
The BNP is aiming for the national election to take place in the middle of this year.
On Saturday, the party announced plans to hold 64 public rallies across the country to generate public support for the swift announcement of an election roadmap.
The meeting with the Election Commission is part of the party’s broader efforts to pressure for the prompt holding of the election.
Following the meeting with the EC, a BNP delegation is scheduled to meet Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday to discuss the country’s current situation, various election-related issues, and reforms.