Political platforms led by former president AQM Badrudozza Chowdhury and senior lawyer Dr Kamal Hossain are set to announce their five-point demand, including polls under a non-partisan and neutral government, on Saturday in an effort to what they describe as a ‘national unity’.
After a meeting on Thursday, its leaders said that the announcement will be made in the morning. However, it has been now rescheduled to the afternoon.
“It has been rescheduled due to Jukto Front chief Badrudozza Chowdhury’s physical condition. Leaders will announce the programmes in the afternoon from the Central Shaheed Minar,” Jahed Ur Rahman, a senior leader of the joint platform, told Bangla Tribune.
Led by Bikalpadhara Bangladesh chief Badrudozza, the Jukto Front coalition consists of ASM Abdur Rob's Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) and Mahmudur Rahman Manna's Nagorik Oikya. Gano Forum President Dr Kamal is leading the other platform — Jatiya Oikya Pokriya.
The five-point demands also include dissolving of parliament before the polls schedules are announced and reconstitution of the Election Commission with acceptable persons.
They will also press for deployment of troops with magistracy power a month ahead of the national polls and scrapping the use electronic voting machines in the election.
The political platforms will also announce a nine-point objective, which includes decentralisation of power, balance of power between the prime minister and the president, ensuring effective independence of judiciary, appointment of an ombudsman and amendment to article 70 of the Constitution.
The two political platforms are also in talks with the BNP. However, Bikalpa Dhara and Gano Forum have already made it clear that a unity with BNP is only possible if the party shuns its long-time trusted ally the Jamaat-e-Islami.