PDP demands UZ elections before parliamentary polls
Sunday, 14 September 2008
Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Saturday demanded holding the Upazila elections before parliamentary polls, reports BSS.
The demand came at a press conference at the party office in the city Saturday, PDP chairman Dr. Ferdous Ahmed Qureishi said the nation expects a free, fair and meaningful election from the Election Commission (EC). But the nation wants polls in 482 upazilas before the parliamentary elections.
Dr Qureishi read out a written statement at the press conference, joined by PDP secretary general Noor Mohammad Khan, additional secretary general Golam Sarwar Milon, adviser Col (retd) Shafiqur Rahman and joint secretary general Major (retd) Parvez Kabir.
Despite different adverse situations, Dr Qureishi said, people of the country have been giving massive support to the present caretaker government.
He also demanded holding referendum on three national issues before the parliamentary polls. The issues are balancing power between president and prime minister by amending the constitution, giving scope to lawmakers for freedom of expression by amending Article 70 of the constitution and holding trial quickly of corruption cases.
There is no alternative to referendum to maintain the achievements of 1/11 to free the country from criminalised politics and rule, Dr Qureishi said and demanded of the government to take urgent steps in this regard.
He said the EC had talked about various reforms, including recasting the election system, creating a level-playing field, holding the election free from black money and corruption and staging the Upazila elections before the parliamentary polls. But they retreated from every stance, he added.
Dr Qureishi said the two big parties had called PDP as 'kings party', but now their parties have turned into 'kings party'.
The demand came at a press conference at the party office in the city Saturday, PDP chairman Dr. Ferdous Ahmed Qureishi said the nation expects a free, fair and meaningful election from the Election Commission (EC). But the nation wants polls in 482 upazilas before the parliamentary elections.
Dr Qureishi read out a written statement at the press conference, joined by PDP secretary general Noor Mohammad Khan, additional secretary general Golam Sarwar Milon, adviser Col (retd) Shafiqur Rahman and joint secretary general Major (retd) Parvez Kabir.
Despite different adverse situations, Dr Qureishi said, people of the country have been giving massive support to the present caretaker government.
He also demanded holding referendum on three national issues before the parliamentary polls. The issues are balancing power between president and prime minister by amending the constitution, giving scope to lawmakers for freedom of expression by amending Article 70 of the constitution and holding trial quickly of corruption cases.
There is no alternative to referendum to maintain the achievements of 1/11 to free the country from criminalised politics and rule, Dr Qureishi said and demanded of the government to take urgent steps in this regard.
He said the EC had talked about various reforms, including recasting the election system, creating a level-playing field, holding the election free from black money and corruption and staging the Upazila elections before the parliamentary polls. But they retreated from every stance, he added.
Dr Qureishi said the two big parties had called PDP as 'kings party', but now their parties have turned into 'kings party'.