JaPa, 6 other parties left out of EC dialogue
The commission is yet to decide whether it will arrange a separate dialogue for the excluded parties, says EC Anwarul
The Election Commission (EC) has completed its series of dialogues with political parties and stakeholders ahead of the 13th parliamentary elections.
Bangladesh currently has 55 registered political parties, including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and the NCP. Of these, 48 parties were invited to the dialogue sessions, which concluded on Wednesday (19 November).
However, several registered parties were not invited, including the Jatiyo Party (JaPa), Jatiyo Party (Manju), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Workers Party, Samyabadi Dal, Ganatantri Party, and the Tarikat Federation.
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Speaking to reporters today (20 November), Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker said the EC is yet to decide whether it will arrange a separate dialogue for the excluded parties.
"This will be discussed at the commission meeting," he said.
Gono Odhikar Parishad, led by Nurul Haque Nur, submitted a formal petition to the EC on 12 November, demanding the exclusion of several partners of the Awami League-led 14-party alliance and the Jatiyo Party from the dialogue.
Party General Secretary Rashed Khan met the CEC at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon and handed over the written petition.
Asked whether the EC withheld invitations under external pressure, Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarker replied, "The current Election Commission does not work under anyone's pressure."
Earlier, the People's Representation Order (Amendment) Ordinance was issued on 3 November, followed by the release of the Election Code of Conduct on 11 November.
The EC held dialogues from 13 to 19 November, ahead of national polls scheduled for the first half of February, when a referendum will also take place on the same day.
The election schedule is expected to be announced in the first half of December.
The EC has received over 100 recommendations from participating parties, covering issues ranging from legal reforms to election rules and the overall pre-poll atmosphere.
Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told TBS, "Dialogue has concluded. All recommendations are being compiled. The commission will meet after the meeting minutes are finalised."
