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The government is all set to announce election schedule any time without addressing the ongoing agitation, blockade, international pressure, and even the much-talked-about dialogue with the opposition parties.
In a move likely to intensify political tensions in the country, the Election Commission (EC) sources said the EC is on course to announce the schedule for the upcoming 12th parliamentary polls today (on Wednesday) – with political disagreement on crucial electoral reforms still widely apparent.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, too, said that the EC would announce the election date and time (election schedule) and the people will cast their votes freely.
Talking over the issue, EC Secretary and Spokesperson Jahangir Alam said, “The commission has indicated that the schedule will be announced as per the constitution, so wait until then."
Besides, the EC has convened a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the details of the upcoming twelfth national parliamentary election.
However, the EC in its latest update informed that it would hold a press briefing over the schedule of the 12th Jatiya Sangsad election at 10am today at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city's Agargaon with EC Secretary Jahangir Alam confirming this to journalists.
The EC sources said after the meeting scheduled for on Tuesday at 5 p.m., Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal address to the nation and announce the details of the election. The election is likely to take place in the first week of January next year.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from major political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatiya Party (JP), Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), and Gonotantro Mancha.
Leaders of these opposition parties have collectively called on the Election Commission to withhold the announcement, arguing that the current political climate is not conducive to holding free and fair elections.
The demand for electoral reforms and a consensus among political parties has been a longstanding issue in Bangladesh, with the opposition parties pressing for changes to ensure a level playing field.
When contacted, BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated that the EC would be held responsible for any untoward situation if it declares the election details against the will of the people.
He also emphasised the need for the Election Commission to explore acceptable means to conduct the next elections under a neutral administration, ensuring fairness and transparency.
Jatiya Party's Secretary General, Mujibul Haque Chunnu also expressed concerns about the absence of a congenial atmosphere in Bangladesh for the announcement of the election schedule.
The election commission should abstain from announcing a polling schedule, given the current lack of a conducive atmosphere in the country to hold an election," he said.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh, in particular, has taken a strong stance against the Election Commission's decision to proceed without political consensus. The party has issued a warning that its leaders and activists will march towards the Election Commission on the day the schedule is announced, emphasising the importance of creating a fair and balanced electoral environment.
During a press conference at the party's headquarters in Purana Paltan, Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, stated, "We demand that the Election Commission refrains from announcing the election schedule until a consensus is reached among political parties for necessary reforms. Failure to do so will prompt us to march towards the Election Commission and stage protests in every district and city the day following the announcement."
The ruling Awami League, on the other hand, has directed its leaders and activists to take to the streets in support of the Election Commission's decision to announce the poll schedule. This move by the Awami League further deepens the political divide, setting the stage for potential confrontations between supporters of the ruling party and opposition activists.
In a statement to this correspondent, Abu Ahammad Mannafi, the President of the Awami League Dhaka South City unit, remarked, "We have advised our leaders and activists to exercise caution on the day of the announcement of the polls schedule, as we anticipate the potential for BNP-Jamaat to instigate anarchy in response to the announcement."
Meanwhile, the US assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu has issued letters to three major parties of Bangladesh--Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party.
Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque said that they received a letter from US Ambassador in Dhaka Peter Haas. Letters have been given to ruling Awami League and main opposition BNP too, he quoted the US ambassador as saying on Monday.
As the country holds its breath for the election schedule, concerns over potential unrest and clashes between political factions are apparently on the rise.
Political analysts are of the view that the EC's decision to move forward without a political consensus reflects the urgency to conduct elections, but it also highlights the widening gap between the ruling party and the opposition on key electoral issues.
The coming days, they apprehend, may witness heightened political turmoil, and all eyes will be on how the situation unfolds as Bangladesh approaches a crucial phase in its democratic process.
Messenger/Disha
