Obstacles to fair polls exist, says Delwar

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BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain Thursday said a level playing field for participation of all political parties in the elections has yet to be created, reports bdnew24.com.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the British Acting High Commissioner Duncan Norman, Delwar told reporters: "There are some obstacles to fair elections. Those have to be removed. We think the amended Representation of People Order, party registration rules and the state of emergency are hindrances to a free and fair election."
"The state of emergency must be lifted before the election. Equal opportunity for all parties in elections has not been created. BNP is an election-oriented party. If the environment is right, BNP will participate in the elections," the secretary general said.
The acting high commissioner met with Delwar at his NAM flat home. They spoke about election related issues. Norman also met with Awami League Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam on the same issues.
After his meeting with Delwar, Norman told reporters that the two had discussed about issues like strengthening of democracy, holding fair elections and continuing reform programmes.
The British government wants to see a peaceful election in December with the participation of all parties, he added. Replying to a question, he said the UK is optimistic that a free, fair and neutral election will be held in the country.
BNP standing committee members RA Gani, Chowdhury Tanveer Ahmed Siddiqui and Khandker Mahbubuddin Ahmad, joint secretary general Nazrul Islam Khan and office secretary Rizvi Ahmed were present.