Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said on Tuesday the resignation letters of the four technocrat ministers will come into effect once the Prime Minister accepts those, report agencies.
"The prime minister may accept their letters any time," Tofail said while briefing journalists following a meeting with Norwegian Ambassador HH Sidsel Bleken at his secretariat office in the city.
Responding to a query from a reporter whether Khaleda Zia will be able to contest the 11th national election, Tofail said, "As per the constitution, a convict cannot contest any election."
Asked about fixing the date of the 11th national election on December 30 where foreign election observers and diplomats may not come due to Christmas and New Year, the minister said, "There's no objection from our side."
He also said the election will be fair and free as all the political parties will be participating in it.
Responding to a question about the entry of journalists into polling stations, Tofail said the Election Commission is the authority to decide it.
In response to another question whether the seven-point demand of Jatiya Oikya Front could be met, Tofail said the Oikya Front leaders also know it very well that their demands could not be fulfilled and that is why they have decided to contest the election.
"Their first demand was the resignation of Prime Minister. If India can hold election under their Prime Minister, what's the problem in Bangladesh?" he questioned.
"We expect that the election will be held in a peaceful atmosphere with the participation of all the political parties," the minister hoped.
A total of 4,300 aspirants have collected Awami League's nomination paper so far and the Prime Minister will provide directions to them on Wednesday, he said.
"Besides, the parliamentary board meeting will be held after November 15. Then the final decision about the nomination will be taken," said Tofail.
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