Election roadmap only reflects AL govt blueprint: BNP

The Election Commission has unveiled a roadmap to the next general elections at the bidding of the Awami League government, says the BNP.

The Awami League is trying to implement their ‘old blueprint to stay in power’ with this roadmap by ignoring the people’s desire, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said.

His remarks came on Tuesday at a press meet at the party’s Naya Paltan headquarters, organised to give their official reaction to the EC’s plans for the 11th parliamentary polls.

The KM Nurul Huda-led commission, often harshly criticised by the BNP for being ‘subservient’ to the ruling party, on Sunday revealed its 18-month-long plans to hold a credible and all-inclusive election.

In his immediate reaction to EC’s plans, Fakhrul had said that no roadmap will work until the matter of election-time government is settled.

The 10th parliament convened on Jan 29, 2014, which means the next national polls will have to be held between Oct 30, 2018 and Jan 27, 2019.

The BNP had boycotted the last general election as it was held under the Awami League government. It has been alleging that the ruling party was planning on holding a similar election next time.

Fakhrul on Tuesday alleged, “This roadmap has been made to help the government hold the election the way it wants.”

He urged the EC to hold talks with all political parties and find a way to hold a fair and acceptable election.

The BNP leader asked the government to sit with all parties as well about formation of a ‘facilitative government’ to oversee the election.

“Hold talks. Your prejudiced, stubborn position is causing harm to the country, the people and democracy,” he said addressing the government.

The EC’s roadmap also includes the plan to hold talks with all parties. Asked whether the BNP will join them, Fakhrul said, “We’ll decide ​​​​once the talks are held.”