CEC proposes polls on Dec 28 if two parties agree on deferment

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In a major disclosure over the latest electoral deadlock, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr Shamsul Huda Wednesday said he proposed to the government to hold parliament elections on December 28 provided the two major parties reach a consensus on this deferment, reports UNB.
Huda and the two other commissioners met Chief Adviser of the caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at his office in the morning and proposed the revised date to accommodate all political parties, including BNP and Awami League, into the electoral race.
"Up until now, previous schedule for December 18 exists," he told reporters while leaving the office, after their hectic last-minute efforts as an ultimatum given by BNP for conceding to their demands neared the deadline Wednesday night.
In reply to a question, the CEC said everything would be done on consent of the two alliances - Awami League-led grand alliance and BNP-led 4-party alliance.
He said, "So far as I know, advisers continued efforts to bring all to the elections. We want to hold elections with all parties."
However, the CEC reaffirmed their stand that the polls would be held within December. Besides, there is a High Court order for holding the parliament elections within December. "We've accomplished whatever is necessary. We've desire to hold the elections in December," he told a correspondent.
He said the upazila elections, now slated for December 28, would be held after the parliament elections.