Uncertainty looms large as major parties oppose UZ polls before national one

DHAKA: The BNP has been terming this government move as unconstitutional.
Country's political horizon has been clouded with uncertainty as government is determined to hold upazilla polls first and the major political parties are opposing the government move to hold upazilla elections before the national one.(The Bangladesh Today)

In spite of growing demand from the major parties including AL and BNP to hold the general election at first, the caretaker government is still determine to hold the Upazilla polls in October next and EC is taking all preparations towards the Upazilla polls scheduled to be held before the long stalled general election.

Centering the issue, tension has developed between the major parties and the emergency government. On the other hand, different development partners have been watching the situation closely and keeping silent on the issue, but they want to see an acceptable and fair parliamentary election by the end of this year as per the schedule.

A question has been raised among the political parties as to whether the government is planning to hold the upazilla elections to delay the transition of power to an elected government. Political parties including AL and BNP are considering this government move nothing but a conspiracy to hold on to power for an indefinite period and they also said that it would hamper the general election as per the road map.

Talking to this correspondent, AL presidium member Suranjit Sen Gupta said the CG will have to hold the general elections at first. AL will take part in the upazilla polls but not before the parliamentary polls.

Another AL leader who does not want to be named alleged that the government is striving to hold upazilla polls first to create a local power base to perpetuate power for a longer period.

AL sources said that they would make their stand clear in the upcoming dialogue with the government scheduled to be held in the next week.

On the other hand, the BNP has been terming this government move as unconstitutional.

BNP joint secretary general Nazrul Islam Khan said according to the constitution, we want to see the national elections first. "Through holding the parliamentary elections at first, the CG should handover the power to the people's government. After the national poll, the elected government will hold the upazilla polls later," he said.

He also urged the government to hold a successful dialogue between the government and political parties to end the crisis.

Another Joint Secretary General Selima Rahman said BNP has been demanding the release of its detained chairperson at first. After freeing Khaleda Zia, the party would decide whether the party will join the upazilla polls or not before the parliamentary elections.

It may be noted that the Election Commission (EC) has made a list of 300-350 upazillas for holding the polls of those as final voters list of those areas have already been completed.


Source : Bangladesh Today