The BNP, which boycotted the last general election, has said it will contest the first municipal polls to be held on party lines.
Published : 27 Nov 2015, 11:41 AM
But the party wants the election, scheduled for Dec 30, to be pushed back by 15 days.
“Our party has decided to take part in the municipal polls on certain conditions to save democracy, keeping in mind the prevailing situation,” BNP spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon told reporters at the party headquarters on Friday.
The ruling Awami League has welcomed the decision.
Ripon demanded a rescheduling of the polls, along with an end to the “mass arrests” of party activists and the release of those held in jail.
The Election Commission has already announced the schedule for polls in 236 municipalities across the country.
The government has amended the law to allow candidates to contest local polls with party symbols.
Earlier this month, it issued an ordinance setting aside obstacles to the holding of municipal polls along party lines.
The EC has set Dec 3 as the last date for the submission of nominations, but Ripon said the time allowed was “insufficient”.
“Ten days to submit nominations is not enough,” he said, stressing more time was needed to complete the process of nominating candidates.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia met senior party leaders and alliance members last week.
The BNP sat out the 2014 parliamentary elections demanding supervision of the voting by a neutral caretaker administration.
But it has since taken part in all local polls.
BNP-endorsed candidates boycotted April’s city corporation elections in Dhaka and Chittagong midway, alleging large-scale rigging.
The ruling Awami League met on Thursday to nominate its candidates for the December election.
Party chief Sheikh Hasina said the BNP would “harm themselves” if they did not contest the polls.
Ripon also questioned the decision to hold the election on Dec 30, barely three days before five million people became eligible to vote.
“These new five million voters should be given the opportunity to exercise their rights.
“We demand the rescheduling of the polls to enable them to vote, and for other reasons,” he added.