The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has welcomed interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s directive to relevant authorities to complete all preparations by December for the upcoming general election. However, other political parties, including the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party, have placed conditions on participating in the polls.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir described the move as a “very positive development,” reaffirming the party’s belief in liberal democracy.
“Power must change through elections. Only the elected government has the mandate to run the country and address its problems,” he said while addressing a discussion programme at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka on Thursday.
Expressing confidence in the Election Commission, Fakhrul hoped that the EC would swiftly complete all tasks and foster an environment conducive to holding a credible election.
“The people of Bangladesh have sacrificed their lives for elections and voting rights. I hope the Election Commission will quickly finalise preparations and create an environment that ensures the election is free, fair, and accepted by all. If that happens, there will be no further issues regarding the election,” he added.
On Thursday, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus directed law enforcement agencies and election officials to complete all necessary preparations by December for the 13th national parliamentary election.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has presented seven conditions for participating in the elections, including the introduction of a proportional representation system and the proclamation of the July Charter before the government.
“If our seven-point demands, including the proportional representation system and the declaration of the July Charter, are met, Jamaat is ready to contest the elections at any time,” Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ehsan Mahbub Jobayer told reporters after a meeting with the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
Similarly, National Citizen Party (NCP) Joint Member Secretary Mushfiq-us-Salehin stressed the importance of the July Charter’s proclamation. “Preparations for the national election can proceed. But all preparations will be futile unless the July Charter is declared,” he told the Times of Bangladesh.
He further expressed concerns about the impartiality of the current Election Commission, saying, “We do not believe a level playing field will be ensured unless this commission is overhauled.”
Asked about the NCP’s previous stance that local government elections must take place before the national parliamentary election, Salehin said that the government should make its position clear on this issue as some other parties also made the same demand.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission on Thursday formed five oversight and coordination committees as part of its preparation for the upcoming elections.
These committees will handle various responsibilities, including field administration, law enforcement coordination, training of polling officials, enforcement of election laws and rules, and overseeing voting procedures and observer activities, both local and foreign.