4-party demands scrapping of amendments to RPO

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The BNP-led four-party alliance at a meeting Sunday advanced a five-point demand, including scrapping of amendments to the Representation of People's Ordinance (RPO) and lifting of emergency for holding a free and fair election, reports UNB.
Three other demands are : fixing of upazila election dates with a logical gap from the parliamentary polls, withdrawal of all cases against the alliance leaders and setting them free, and withdrawal of all cases against alliance workers and leaders and setting them free before the Eid-ul-Fitr.
"All the demands are to be met by October 12," BNP secretary general Khandker Delwar Hossain told newsmen after the meeting held at his NAM residence. "The demands have to be accepted for the sake of holding free and fair election."
Asked about the alliance decision on taking part in the election, he said: "We'll wait till October 12 for the government response to the demands. Decision will be taken on the basis of the government action."
Delwar, however, added: "We've always said the alliance is pro-election, we'll take part in the polls. But the impediments for free and fair election are to be removed."
He announced that the alliance would hold meeting and rally across the country on October 12 to realise the five-point demand.
The government has amended the RPO on the advice of the Election Commission providing measures, among others, to curb the influence of money and muscle power, restrictions on corrupt elements to contest the polls and registration of political parties.
The alliance has been strongly opposing the amendments and demanding that the polls be held under the previous rules.
Delwar thanked Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed for assuring the United Nations General Assembly that elections in Bangladesh would be held on December 18.
He said: "We want that his (CA's) pledge to the world body will be implemented by removing all doubts about the polls. People are looking forward to the election."
He informed that the meeting also discussed the price situation that has been seriously affecting the common man.
Chaired by Khandaker Delwar Hossain, the 4-party alliance meeting at the secretary general level began at 11:30 am and continued till 1:30 pm.
The meeting was attended by Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid and Rafiqul Islam of Jamaat-e-Islami, Barrister Andalib Rahman and Shamim Al Mamoon of BJP, Abdul Latif Nezami of IOJ and Ahmed Abdul Quader of Khelafat Majlish.