EC Dialogue: 18 Out Of 44 Parties Skip Talks

A total of 18 political parties failed to attend the Election Commission (EC) meeting with 44 parties, which was scheduled for November 4. The discussions took place at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka, under the supervision of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal.

During the first session on preparations for the upcoming 12th parliamentary election, only 13 registered political parties participated, while nine decided to skip the meeting. In the second session, 13 parties attended, while nine chose not to participate.

CEC Awal explained that the short notice for the dialogue might have caused some parties to skip the event due to time constraints. He expressed a willingness to reschedule discussions if necessary, emphasizing the need for prompt action with the elections just two months away.

He emphasized the importance of engaging with all political parties as they are key stakeholders in democratic governance and elections.

During the meeting, parties discussed the electoral environment and presented their conditions for the upcoming elections. The National Democratic Movement (NDM) requested that the EC refrain from announcing the election schedule until a political consensus was reached.

The BNP-Jamaat alliance insisted on the resignation of the ruling government and the formation of a caretaker government as a precondition for their participation in the elections, while the Awami League government reaffirmed its commitment to conducting elections in accordance with the constitution.

The Bangladesh Congress stressed the importance of considering public opinions to ensure free, fair, impartial, and participatory elections.

After the meeting, Trinamool BNP Secretary General Taimur Alam Khandkar emphasized the commission's role in building public confidence in the electoral process and stated they were evaluating the situation before deciding on their election participation.

Awami League Presidium Member Muhammad Faruq Khan expressed optimism about the fairness of the upcoming elections, citing commitments by the Election Commission and government measures to ensure equity. He also addressed concerns about potential electoral disruptions in certain areas and suggested that parties lacking public support might voice such apprehensions.

Regarding the BNP's absence from the electoral process, Faruq Khan stated that it was not a legal requirement to hold elections with their participation, pointing out that parties worldwide often opt out of elections if they lack significant public support. He also characterized the BNP's activities as being associated with violence and terrorism.

Faruq Khan mentioned that the election environment was already positive and expected to improve, with the Election Commission planning a campaign to encourage voter participation.

The EC scheduled two dialogue sessions daily, inviting party presidents, general secretaries, or their designated representatives. However, the BNP and its allies, as well as some other parties, chose not to participate in the dialogue.

According to the constitution, parliamentary elections must be held within 90 days before the conclusion of a five-year parliamentary term. With the current parliament's term ending on January 29, the 90-day countdown began on November 1.

The EC intends to announce the national election schedule in mid-November, with plans to hold the election in January. In July 2022, the EC held a dialogue with political parties to create an action plan for the 12th national elections, but certain parties, including the BNP, abstained from participating.