The leaders of the Jatiya Oikya Front, a new opposition alliance of the BNP and several other parties, met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda at the election office in the city to press their various demands, including the one for deferring the polls further. "We are satisfied. They (EC) have assured us of considering our demands. I hope such cooperation will continue until the end of the election," Dr Kamal Hossain said after the around two-hour meeting.
The EC pledged steps to keep the atmosphere favorable to fair polls, the Oikya Front chief added. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, however, skirted a direct reply when he was asked whether the party was satisfied with the EC's assurances.
"Whether or not we will be in the elections fully depends on the behavior of the Election Commission and polls-time government," he said. Replying to a question, the BNP leader said the EC and the government has so far failed to demonstrate a positive attitude for ensuring a credible election. Mirza
Fakhrul said they discussed their demands for deferring the polls, no use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), and deployment of the army in the meeting with the CEC and other commissioners. "We've said that the election will be meaningless without Khaleda Zia," he said, demanding release of the party chief who has been in jail after being convicted in two corruption cases.
"They (EC) have said they will look into the issues," added the BNP secretary general. Asked what the EC told them about their election deferment demand, the senior leader said they demanded the election be delayed by three weeks. "The Commission said they will discuss it at their meeting and inform their decision later."
Fakhrul believes a fair vote will be possible if the EC uses its constitutional powers properly. Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda and other Commissioners were present at the meeting. Mirza Fakhrul also said the clashes between the police and the BNP supporters in front of the party's Nayapaltan headquarters earlier in the day was "not a good sign for the polls at all."
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