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Party Registration

BNP, Jamaat seek one week more

Staff Correspondent
BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami yesterday formally asked the Election Commission (EC) to extend the time limit for registration by a week.
They said they want to sit with the caretaker government before
applying to get registered. Besides, they need more time to complete preparations for registration.
According to the current deadline, political parties must apply by October 15 for registration on meeting a set of criteria.
The parties prayed for time in FROM PAGE 1
separate letters to tlic EC. There, they said they view registration in a positivelight now.
The recently revised Representation of the People Order (RPO) has made registration mandatory for participation in parliamentary polls. Besides, it laid down a number of criteria for registration as apolitical party.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda said BNP and Jamaat have sought more time as they face difficulties involving the issue. "We'll consider their request and come up with a decision in time."
Until yesterday, the polls chief had been maintaining that the EC in no way would stretch the time beyond October 15.
But yesterday, he said, "Let's see what can be done.”
Sources in tire EC hinted that the time for registration might be stretched by four or live days.
BNP and Jamaat are scheduled to sit with Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed and his colleagues tomorrow. The following day is tne closing date for applications.
Against this backdrop, secretaries general of the parties sent the letters to the CEC, seeking time extension.
"We have asked the commission for a seven-day extension," BNP Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters after meeting the election commissioners.
He led the BNP delegation to the EC yesterday and submitted the letter signed by Secretary General iQiandaker Delwar Hossain.
He said the revised RPO and
registration rules will figure prominently In tomorrow's dialogue with the caretaker government
Nazrul said it would be hard for them to apply by (ktober 15.
Asked about the RPO provision that requires the parties to sever ties with front or associate organisations to get registered with tire EC, he said, "The law is not rational."
About Awami League's plans to continue with the associated bodies will) some changes only in wordings in its constitution, the CEC said, "First, let them submit their application.”
About calls for the EC to scrap the constituency re-demarcation, Huda resolutely said the December 18 polls would be held as per the redrawn boundaries.
Replying to a query, he said die final countrywide voter list would be submitted to him on October 14.
A two-member Jamaat delegation led by central leader Jasim Uddin Sarker handed over the party's letter to the CEC.
"We have taken a positive decision on registration," read the letter signed by its Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid.
Talking to reporters, Jasim said they hope die EC will extend die time limit. "Otherwise it will be very difficult for Jamaat to apply on or before October 15. We need time to bring necessary amendments to our constitution," he added.
T\vo election commissioners--M Sohul Hussain and Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain-wcre present at the meetings with the BNP and Jamaat leaders.