BNP happy with president's move to open talks with political parties

The BNP has lauded the president's initiative to open dialogues with political parties over the next Election Commission.

On Tuesday, the party submitted its chief Khaleda Zia's 13-point proposal on the constitution of the next commission to the president's office.

The Bangabhaban later said the dialogues will begin soon after Bangladesh celebrates its Victory Day on Dec 16.

At a media briefing immediately after the announcement, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they hope 'something positive' will come out of it. "The president's office said he will open talks. We hope for the best."

Speaking at a discussion in the afternoon, he thanked the president.

"He has taken the initiative for a dialogue with political parties keeping in line with the people's demand. We are very happy."

Around 11am, a delegation led by Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Vice-Chairman Ruhul Alam Chowdhury reached the Bangabhaban with a letter signed by the BNP's secretary general and a printed copy of the proposal.

Brigadier General Md Mainur Rahman, assistant military secretary to the president, received the documents.

Later, the Bangabhaban spoke of the president's move to open talks.

“(The president) will hold discussions with registered parties and those represented in Parliament before appointing the chief election commissioner and other commissioners in line with the Constitution's Section 118,” said the president’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin.  

After the announcement, Mirza Fakhrul told a media briefing, at the party's Naya Paltan headquarters that they always believe a political solution was possible through dialogue.

"We hope the president's initiative will succeed and he will be able to form a powerful election commission with the consent of all political parties."

He, however, said they hoped the instance of an election commission 'prescribed by the Awami League' will not be repeated.

At the discussion in the afternoon, Mirza Fakhrul called upon the government to stop oppressing the opposition.

"Do not ruin democracy, for which you had struggled for long. You have done it once in the past, do not do it again," he told the government.

Demanding an all inclusive 'impartial' election, Mirza Fakhrul said, "We do not ask that the BNP be given power. What we want is the people's representative in office. Those who are in power are not so since they are not elected."