BNP in process to finalise pre-conditions for election participation

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Salman Tareque Sakil
Published : 02:00, Aug 15, 2018 | Updated : 17:12, Aug 15, 2018

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)To ensure level playing field in the upcoming elections, BNP had two meetings on 11 August and 13 August respectively, chalking out a set of decisions. Following their acceptance in the standing committee, the decisions will be sent to acting chairman of BNP, Tarique Rahman, to London for final approval.
Opinion will also be sought from incarcerated party chairman, Khaleda Zia.
The party decided on several pre-conditions to their participation in the national polls.
The demands are: freeing Khaleda Zia and party activists, withdrawal of politically motivated cases, dissolution of currently running 10th parliament, reformation of Election Commission, deployment of the military during polls with magistracy power and, holding elections under a neutral non-partisan government.
The recent meetings also discussed programmes to be held on occasion of BNP’s founding anniversary in September.
A party member said, the demands will be formally disclosed to the media after Eid ul Azha.
A senior BNP member told Bangla Tribune: “we will not go to polls under the current commission.”
Several members of the standing committee have confirmed that during the recent talks, the main priority was given to secure release for Khaleda Zia.
The issue of political alliance was also discussed. Meanwhile, convener of Juktofront, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, said: “nothing has been finalised regarding an alliance as yet.”
On September 1, BNP will celebrate 40 years since its foundation. A standing committee member said: “there will be a rally to mark the day and a proposal will be placed to the police, asking for Suhrawardy Udyan or the Engineers’ Institute Auditorium.”
If permission is not given then BNP will hit the roads with a tough campaign in September, added the member.

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