PDP for delayed polls under emergency
Monday, 6 October 2008
The Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the government to push back general elections slated for Dec 18, questioning whether 'good leadership' can arise in the country when "the two rival political forces have been rehabilitated over the last few months," reports bdnews24.com.
PDP chairman Ferdous Ahmed Qureshi, at a press conference Sunday, also demanded a referendum in November and that the general election be held under emergency.
"Elections will not be fair without making use of the historic opportunity created by the political changeover on 1/11," he said.
He also said his party's decision regarding participation in parliamentary polls would be taken at its national convention at the end of the month.
Speaking at the party central office at Segun Bagicha, Qureshi demanded a referendum in November to ensure settlement of corruption cases before the general election, and to bring balance between the powers of the president and the prime minister.
The party also wants cancellation of the Section 70 of the Constitution to abolish parliamentary autocracy.
"If certain flaws in the constitution cannot be removed, a meaningful election cannot be held," he said. "For that, a referendum has to be arranged before the parliamentary election."
Questioning the credibility of a recent statement by army chief Moeen U Ahmed, Qureshi said, "There is a doubt in people's minds as to how General Moeen's expected 'new leadership' will arise, when the two rival political forces have been rehabilitated over the last few months through government initiative and government cost."
The army chief said recently that he hoped the country would secure a good political leadership in January 2009 that would steer the nation on the course of development.
Expressing concern, Qureshi said, "A hasty election without creating the promised level playing field will throw the country into a pre-1/11 situation or even worse."
PDP chairman Ferdous Ahmed Qureshi, at a press conference Sunday, also demanded a referendum in November and that the general election be held under emergency.
"Elections will not be fair without making use of the historic opportunity created by the political changeover on 1/11," he said.
He also said his party's decision regarding participation in parliamentary polls would be taken at its national convention at the end of the month.
Speaking at the party central office at Segun Bagicha, Qureshi demanded a referendum in November to ensure settlement of corruption cases before the general election, and to bring balance between the powers of the president and the prime minister.
The party also wants cancellation of the Section 70 of the Constitution to abolish parliamentary autocracy.
"If certain flaws in the constitution cannot be removed, a meaningful election cannot be held," he said. "For that, a referendum has to be arranged before the parliamentary election."
Questioning the credibility of a recent statement by army chief Moeen U Ahmed, Qureshi said, "There is a doubt in people's minds as to how General Moeen's expected 'new leadership' will arise, when the two rival political forces have been rehabilitated over the last few months through government initiative and government cost."
The army chief said recently that he hoped the country would secure a good political leadership in January 2009 that would steer the nation on the course of development.
Expressing concern, Qureshi said, "A hasty election without creating the promised level playing field will throw the country into a pre-1/11 situation or even worse."