STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Consensus among political parties, improving the law-and-order situation and ensuring the Election Commission’s neutrality are the biggest challenges for the upcoming parliamentary polls to be free, fair and credible, said speakers at an event yesterday.

“The country has been freed from fascism but a consensus for democratic transition has not been reached yet -- there is still time,” said BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed at the discussion styled ‘Expectations and Challenges for a Fair Election: Doable for the Government, Political Parties and Civil Society in Arranging a Successful Election’.

He went on to express hope that political parties could reach a consensus to this end through talks ahead of the election.

Stating that the national parliament is the only legitimate body to pass any proposal regarding constitutional amendment, Salahuddin said his party, however, will agree if there is any other legitimate, lawful and constitutional avenue for this.

In the meantime, before going to parliament, the political parties could build consensus on what the The

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