Jamaat disapproves upazila polls within one week of JS election
Monday, 22 September 2008
Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Sunday said the government's notion to hold upazila elections within less than a week of national polls was 'unrealistic,' reports UNB.
The party, a key partner in the BNP-led four-party coalition, welcomed holding national polls on December 18 but was unhappy with the announcement of polls in upazilas on December 24 and 28.
"It's illogical," Jamaat's acting secretary general Mohammad Qamaruzzaman told journalists in a formal reaction to the Chief Adviser’s (CA) latest address to the nation.
"After (national) polls there are some constitutional bindings including reelection to the disputed constituencies," he said, adding that they had no problem if upazila elections come within one or one and a half months after completion of whole process tied to the national polls.
He demanded the Election Commission (EC) reconsider the decision and fix new dates for upazila polls.
His briefing came after Jamaat's central executive leaders held a two-hour meeting at about 10:30 am to discuss the CA's address with acting Jamaat Amir Abul Kalam Mohammad Yusuf in the chair.
The party with no hesitation demanded full withdrawal of the state of emergency to create a congenial atmosphere for a free, fair and credible election.
"We ask the government to withdraw the state of emergency completely as we believe emergency rules can't ensure a free, fair and acceptable election." Qamaruzz-aman said.
Justifying his party's position on the state of emergency, he said, "We think if the election be held in an open atmosphere people and political parties will spontaneously participate in it."
He, however, said they welcomed the date for holding national polls on December 18 as "it has reflected the aspiration of the party and people as well".
He further said that Jamaat demanded scrapping of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) Ordinance 2008, as confusion existed about some of its sections and sub-sections that contradicted the constitution.
The party also demanded the EC holds the 9th parliamentary polls annulling the provisions of registration of political parties with the commission since "time is limited to complete the process".
Jamaat also asked the commission to ditch the re-demarcation plan of parliamentary constituencies and hold the election with the previous arrangement.
Asked what will happen if the government and the EC do not go by their demands, he said, "If that happens, we'll fix our next course through discussion with our allies".
About their preparation to participate in the upcoming election, he said, "We are all set to participate in the election as per our ability".
Asked if the four-party coalition would be expanded to get more popular support in next election, he said, "If any party wants to join us taking our causes into consideration, we'll, of course, go for that."
Jamaat central leaders Mokbul Ahmed, Maulana Mohammad Abdus Sobhan, Mojibur Rahman and Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan were present at the briefing.
The party, a key partner in the BNP-led four-party coalition, welcomed holding national polls on December 18 but was unhappy with the announcement of polls in upazilas on December 24 and 28.
"It's illogical," Jamaat's acting secretary general Mohammad Qamaruzzaman told journalists in a formal reaction to the Chief Adviser’s (CA) latest address to the nation.
"After (national) polls there are some constitutional bindings including reelection to the disputed constituencies," he said, adding that they had no problem if upazila elections come within one or one and a half months after completion of whole process tied to the national polls.
He demanded the Election Commission (EC) reconsider the decision and fix new dates for upazila polls.
His briefing came after Jamaat's central executive leaders held a two-hour meeting at about 10:30 am to discuss the CA's address with acting Jamaat Amir Abul Kalam Mohammad Yusuf in the chair.
The party with no hesitation demanded full withdrawal of the state of emergency to create a congenial atmosphere for a free, fair and credible election.
"We ask the government to withdraw the state of emergency completely as we believe emergency rules can't ensure a free, fair and acceptable election." Qamaruzz-aman said.
Justifying his party's position on the state of emergency, he said, "We think if the election be held in an open atmosphere people and political parties will spontaneously participate in it."
He, however, said they welcomed the date for holding national polls on December 18 as "it has reflected the aspiration of the party and people as well".
He further said that Jamaat demanded scrapping of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) Ordinance 2008, as confusion existed about some of its sections and sub-sections that contradicted the constitution.
The party also demanded the EC holds the 9th parliamentary polls annulling the provisions of registration of political parties with the commission since "time is limited to complete the process".
Jamaat also asked the commission to ditch the re-demarcation plan of parliamentary constituencies and hold the election with the previous arrangement.
Asked what will happen if the government and the EC do not go by their demands, he said, "If that happens, we'll fix our next course through discussion with our allies".
About their preparation to participate in the upcoming election, he said, "We are all set to participate in the election as per our ability".
Asked if the four-party coalition would be expanded to get more popular support in next election, he said, "If any party wants to join us taking our causes into consideration, we'll, of course, go for that."
Jamaat central leaders Mokbul Ahmed, Maulana Mohammad Abdus Sobhan, Mojibur Rahman and Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan were present at the briefing.