BNP demands election roadmap while Jamaat prioritises national reforms in talks with Yunus
Published : 05 Oct 2024, 11:33 PM
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, and Jamaat-e-Islami, alliance partners for over two decades, have shown differing stances on the election issue.
BNP called for an immediate formation of the Election Commission and a roadmap for elections, while Jamaat-e-Islami emphasised the need for reforms over elections during formal talks with Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.
The third round of discussions between political parties and the interim government began on Saturday at the State Guest House Jamuna, with BNP being the first to engage in discussions.
Following a one-hour session from 2:30pm to 3:30pm, Jamaat-e-Islami also participated in the talks with Yunus.
BNP’s delegation, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, reiterated the demand for an election roadmap during a press conference after the talks.
Mirza Fakhrul said, "The law regarding the appointment of the electoral commission must be suspended, and an Election Commission must be formed immediately based on the consensus of the major political parties. We have asked for a roadmap on when the Election Commission will hold elections.”
In contrast, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman, who represented the party in the talks, said their focus is on structural reforms.
"This government did not come to govern the country but to create a legitimate path for governance. They must ensure that the nation, which was deprived in the last three elections, is offered a free, fair, and peaceful election. To achieve this, some fundamental reforms must be undertaken," said Shafiqur.
Shafiqur declined to disclose Jamaat’s specific proposals but mentioned that they would make them public next Wednesday.
"We will present our thoughts to the nation on the 9th of October, outlining what reforms are necessary now and what will be required post-reform. We believe reforms are more important than elections at this moment," he added.
Like BNP, Jamaat also requested a roadmap from the caretaker administration.
"We have asked for two roadmaps—one for reforms and the other for the election. Both reforms and elections are crucial," said Shafiqur.
The caretaker administration, which took an oath on Aug 8 to uphold the constitution, has not provided clarity regarding the timing of the elections.
According to the constitution, elections must occur within 90 days after the parliament is dissolved. If this is not feasible, an extension of an additional 90 days is permissible.
Following the government’s ousting on Aug 5, Mirza Fakhrul met the army chief and later with President Mohammed Shahabuddin at the Bangabhaban.
He said the president would dissolve the parliament and hold elections within the stipulated 90 days.
However, the president has not commented on the timeframe for elections.