Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan on Sunday said that the Election Commission was preparing for the next national polls in an appropriate manner, though concerns remained over the law and order situation.
Following a meeting with the chief election commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital鈥檚 Agargaon, he told reporters that they discussed a wide range of issues relating to the conduct of the election, including the electoral code of conduct, constituency delimitation, security measures, and voting rights for Bangladeshis living abroad.
The BNP delegation, led by Nazrul Islam Khan, consisted of senior party joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and party chair鈥檚 advisory council member Ismail Zabihullah.
Nazrul Islam dismissed the speculation from some political figures that the election might not be held in February, saying that the chief adviser had already confirmed that the polls would be held as planned.
He further said that the commission appeared to be taking preparations as required, but that the issue of law and order continued to be a cause for concern.
The BNP leader also said that the commission, like the BNP, was worried about security, as the role of the police had become weaker than before, largely because of how they had been used by the previous government.
Even the police themselves felt embarrassed by their past actions, although efforts were under way to overcome this weakness, he said.
Citing the discussion with the CEC, Nazrul Islam said that the commission had assured the BNP of additional measures, if needed, including the deployment of more army personnel during the election to support law enforcement, and the assignment of the Coast Guard and Navy to secure coastal areas.
He also said that political parties also had a responsibility to ensure peace during the election. Replying to a question about the election time, he said that the chief adviser had already confirmed that it would be held in February and that the EC was preparing for it.
Nazrul questioned the authority on which others were claiming otherwise, suggesting that those making such statements should be asked to explain their basis.
Regarding expatriate voting rights, he said that the commission assured the BNP that the Bangladeshis holding National ID cards, e-passports or machine-readable passports would be eligible to vote, while the party had urged the inclusion of those with ordinary passports if their identities could be verified.
The BNP delegation also sought clarification on constituency delimitation and the EC explained that it was guided by the principle of maintaining geographical integrity, keeping districts and upazilas intact as far as possible, alongside the consideration of voter numbers.
On the electoral code of conduct, Nazrul Islam said that the commission sought feedback from political parties, including the BNP, and was currently reviewing the suggestions before finalising the rules.
On the issue of re-introducing a 鈥榥o vote鈥� option, he said that the BNP had never demanded such a measure.
He explained that it had first been introduced under the caretaker government during the 1/11 period, used only in the 2008 election, and later went out of use as it was not ratified by the subsequent government.
Nazrul Islam said that any new move in this regard was not the BNP鈥檚 proposal, though the party would respond if formally consulted by the commission.
Replying to a question about seat-sharing with allies in the upcoming elections, he said that no formal discussions had yet taken place within the BNP to this end.
Nazrul Islam said that the party鈥檚 acting chair had already announced that those who fought together in the joint movement would remain united and share responsibilities if entrusted with governance.
He said that talks on seat-sharing would only begin once the election schedule was officially announced.
