EC to invite mainstream faction of political party for dialogue

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The Election Commission (EC) would hold election to Rajshahi City Corporation at the end of January or middle of February next, reports UNB.
Meanwhile, Election Commissioner M Sakhawat Hussain Thursday said the EC would invite the mainstream faction of any political party to sit for dialogue in preparation for the coming national polls.
The Election Commissioner made the remark when asked to whom of BNP they would send letter inviting to dialogue against the backdrop of recent split in the major political party.
He said, "We are sending the letter just 15 to 20 days before the scheduled date of dialogue. We will send the letter to the person who would be secretary general of the party at that time."
Sakhawat said it is no concern for the EC. "Comings and goings in the political parties are a continuous process and it has always been there in the past, present and be in future. Our concern is to consult the 15 parties whom we have invited to sit for dialogue."
Asked which BNP the EC would send letter on the verge of recent crisis, the Election Commissioner said the letter would be sent to the mainstream BNP.
"It's too early to say," Sakhawat replied to a query as to which BNP would be called mainstream party, as expelled BNP secretary general Mannan Bhuiyan is busy reorganising the party minus its chief, detained ex-PM Khaleda Zia.
He pointed out that there are rules in the Representation of People Order (RPO) regarding the solution of such circumstances.
"If any political party, which is recognised by the Election Commission and has taken part in the elections, splits that would come under the third criteria of holding dialogue with us… Whenever a party emerges with a new name splitting from another, it would be considered a new party."
He said the task of voter list preparation in Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) area is almost done. "Till yesterday, around 251,000 voters have been included in the list," he told reporters at his office.
The draft voter list would be validated in January next year, he said, adding that the RCC elections would be held at the end of January or middle of February.
Officially, the task of RCC was closed Thursday, but it would continue one or two days more for those voters who have not yet registered in the list.