Tofail calls EC’s parliamentary polls roadmap ‘realistic’

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has described the Election Commission's roadmap to the 11th general election a good and realistic one and urged all political parties to prepare for the crucial ballot.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 16 July 2017, 03:35 PM
Updated : 16 July 2017, 03:35 PM

The senior Awami League leader told reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday there was no such thing as ‘facilitative government’ in any country, even though the BNP is asking for one to oversee the polls.

“According to the Constitution, the government in power will hold the election and the Election Commission will work impartially,” he said.

The KM Nurul Huda-led commission, often harshly criticised by the BNP for being ‘subservient’ to the Awami League, earlier in the day revealed its 18-month-long plans to hold a credible and all-inclusive parliamentary election.

The 10th parliament convened on Jan 29, 2014, which means the next general election has to be held between Oct 30, 2018 and Jan 27, 2019.

Tofail, an advisory council member of the ruling party, asserted that the next polls will be held under the present government.

“This government will work as an interim one once the polls schedule is announced. Its duties will include carrying out day-to-day activities and following the EC’s directives.”

He said he also thought that all political parties should start making preparations for the next election from now.

But, the minister said if any party tables anything anti-constitutional, it will be unacceptable.

“Whether the BNP will join the election or not, that is totally up to them,” he said when asked if initiatives would be taken to bring all parties to the ballot.

“I don’t think they (BNP) will make the same mistake again, because the people usually learn from their mistakes.”