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BNP, Jamaat unlikely to join by-polls

By Nazmul Ashraf
Opposition BNP and Ja-maat-e-islami are unlikely to contest the June 30 by-election to the Manikganj-3 Jatiya Sangsad seat as they apprehend that the polls would not be free and fair with the present Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in office, according to top leaders of the parties.
The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday announced the schedule for the by-polls to the JS seat which fell vacant following the death of BNP lawmaker Nizamuddin Khan.
"We still stand by the decision of not contesting any election under the partisan CEC. However, we're yet to discuss the issue in the party forum after announcement of the polls schedule," BNP standing committee member Barrister Abdus Salam Talukdar told The Daily Star last night.
“We hope to meet in a day or two for fresh talks on the matter". the former secretary general of the BNP said.
When contacted. Jamaat sec-
retary general Matiur Rahman Nizami said. "We re not contesting the by-poll. protesting the CEC’s biased role."
Replying to another question. he denied consulting the BNP on the issue.
Meanwhile, a three-member delegation of the BNP led by its Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan met Acting Chief Election Commissioner Abidur Rahman yesterday and put some conditions for the party's participation in the by-poll.
On several occasions earlier, top leaders of both the parties had demanded resignation of the CEC. Mohammad Abu Hena. accusing him of a partisan role in the June 12 general elections last year as well as in by-elections in some constituencies later.
BNP earlier boycotted by-polls two constituencies in Bo-gra and Thakurgaon which fell vacant following deaths of Awami League MPs. When the Manikganj-3 seat fell vacant.
BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan. MP had said that his party was willing to contest the by-poll but added "the partisan CEC must quit to ensure its fairness."
Later, BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia also demanded resignation of the present CEC and appointment of a Supreme Court judge In his post.
Meanwhile, another top BNP leader said that the party would not only boycott the by-polls in Manikganj-3 constituency but also resist it. BNP has stronghold in all the four JS seats in ManikganJ where the party nominees won the last general elections, he mentioned.
Abdul Malek, who joined the Awami League on May 10. resigning from the Jatiya Party, may be a candidate of the ruling party in the by-polls.
Angered by Malek s joining the ruling party, a section of the local JP leaders were learnt to have been lobbying with BNP leaders in ManikganJ.