AL welcomes schedule; BNP, allies reject
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appeals. We strongly condemn and reject this,” said the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
“This schedule has created a terrifying atmosphere in the country. People will not accept this,” he added.
The CEC and the government must bear the responsibility for the political instability and violence that will follow, he added.
The Election Commission has taken a risky step by following Sheikh Hasina’s orders, he said.
AL ALLIES
JSD President Hasanul Haq Inu hailed the polls schedule as a bold step while Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon hoped that EC would take measures to hold a free and fair election.
Tarikat Federation Chairman Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary said the room for dialogues is still there.
“We still believe that there is no alternative to dialogues,” he said, adding that parties must not attach conditions for talks.
JATIYA PARTY
JP Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu said it was EC’s duty to announce the schedule. However, the schedule can be changed to create a congenial atmosphere.
The party’s Chief Patron and Leader of the Opposition Raushan Ershad welcomed the schedule, saying, “It is the duty of the Election Commission to hold elections in a free, fair and impartial manner.”
GONO FORUM
The party’s General Secretary Mizanur Rahman said the EC had fulfilled the government’s wish.
“The opposition parties wanted a peaceful environment for holding a free and fair election. The Election Commission cannot avoid its responsibility for not creating the environment,” he said.
CPB
Ruhin Hossain Prince, general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, said, “The Election Commission has been acting like a puppet of the Awami League government. It has done exactly what the government asked it to.”
He also expressed fear that there will be more violence in the coming days.
IAB, OTHERS
Hours before the schedule was announced, Islami Andolon Bangladesh marched in the capital in protest. The party will demonstrate today as well.
The Khelafat Majlish demanded cancellation of the polls schedule, saying the EC ignored the people’s demand for an election under a non-partisan government because no fair and acceptable election is possible under the current government.
Jamaat activists marched in the capital and some other places last night denouncing the EC.