Political differences cannot be resolved through dialogue: CEC

 

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal announced the schedule of parliamentary elections in his address to the nation.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said that differences are being observed among the political leadership of the country on the issue of elections. Consensus and solutions are needed.

The CEC also said, "I humbly request all the political parties on behalf of the Election Commission to avoid conflict and violence and look for amicable solutions."

Pointing out that the Election Commission will always welcome the spontaneous participation and competition of all parties in the elections, the CEC said, "Reconciliation and resolution through dialogue avoiding mutual revenge, mistrust and mistrust is not impossible."

The CEC said these things in his address to the nation on the occasion of announcing the schedule of the 12th National Assembly elections on Wednesday evening. He announced that the 12th National Parliament elections will be held on January 7. Last date for submission of nomination papers is 30 November. Nomination papers will be selected from 1st to 4th December. Last date for withdrawal of candidature is 17th December. Allotment of symbols on 18th December.

The Election Commission announced the schedule at a time when the BNP and the political parties and alliances in the simultaneous movement are carrying out a blockade program to demand votes under a neutral government. The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) has called a strike tomorrow, Thursday.

Jamaat-e-Islami has also given the same program. Islami Andolan Bangladesh has organized a mass march program in the direction of the Election Commission today to protest against the announcement of schedule without political compromise.

Earlier, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu wrote to Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party calling for unconditional dialogue.

Awami League and its allies are talking about elections under the current government as per the constitution.

The issue of political disagreement also came up in the CEC's address to the nation. He said there is a need for favorable political environment for free, fair, participatory and festive elections. But on the question of elections, especially on the question of the institutional system of elections, the overall political leadership of the country has been witnessing dissension for a long time.

The CEC said, in multi-party politics, there can be ideological divisions. But if disagreements lead to conflict and violence, the resulting instability can have an adverse impact on the electoral process.

Pointing out that compromise and solution through dialogue is not impossible, CEC said, 'Tolerance, mutual trust, tolerance and solidarity are essential rules for a sustainable and stable democracy.'

'Government Commitment to Participatory Elections'

In his address to the nation, the CEC noted that the government has repeatedly expressed its clear commitment to make the upcoming parliamentary elections fair, free, impartial, participatory and peaceful. The Commission will also perform its duty with honesty, devotion and sincerity to make the elections free, fair and peaceful with the utmost capacity within its power and with all the necessary assistance from the Government.

Stating that the constitution has clear guidelines for holding elections within 90 days before the completion of the term of parliament, the CEC said, these guidelines are completed by the Election Commission with the help of the officers and employees of the executive department of the government and law enforcement forces.

balance in the center

The CEC noted that elections can be fair, free, impartial and participatory only through the coordinated cooperation and participation of all concerned in the process. If the political parties are motivated by democratic spirit and contest the elections effectively, the balance is established at the center, elections become more pure and meaningful. It also reflects public opinion more clearly.

At the end of his speech, the CEC sought the participation and active cooperation of all political parties, candidates and people in the election process.

News sources -Prothom-alo