BNP welcomes election roadmap, calls it good news for people
Hailing the roadmap, Ganosamhati Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki urges all political stakeholders to work together to prevent any disruption to the election process
The announcement of the roadmap for the 13th National Parliament elections is good news for the people, and BNP is happy with the development, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (28 August).
"The roadmap (for the national election) has been announced. It gives us an impression that the Election Commission has taken preparations to hold the election by February," Fakhrul said.
Talking to reporters about the EC's roadmap, he said, "The main point is — we are happy."
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Asked whether the roadmap announcement is good news for the people, Fakhrul simply replied, "Yes."
Meanwhile, in a statement posted on BNP media cell's Facebook page, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed called the development "positive" and said the timing was right.
"We expect that the national elections will be held in accordance with this roadmap," he said.
BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury also welcomed the Election Commission's announcement of the election roadmap, saying it has raised hopes for an elected government and a functional parliament.
"A roadmap for the election has been announced today, it's a good news. People are now turning towards the election. Everyone is waiting — there will be an election in the country, an elected government will come, a parliament will be formed," he said while addressing a seminar at Hotel Sherina in Dhaka today (A28 August).
In a separate statement, Ganosamhati Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki also hailed the roadmap, describing it as the "official declaration of the interim government's election roadmap."
In a statement, Saki urged all political stakeholders to work together to prevent any disruption to the election process.
He proposed forming a multi-party monitoring committee to oversee the interim government's role in ensuring a fair electoral environment, along with drafting a code of conduct with the participation of all political parties.
"If there is any problem or violation of the election code of conduct anywhere in the country, this committee will play a role in resolving it," he added.
Saki further called on the government to engage in discussions with political to develop policies on the voter list, election environment, and related matters, urging stakeholders.
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission (EC) has unveiled its roadmap for the upcoming 13th national election, with a target to hold the polls in the first half of February next year before Ramadan starts.
The EC has prioritised 24 key tasks in the election roadmap.
According to the roadmap timeline, the final voter list will be completed by 31 August, and a supplementary list will be finalised by 31 October. The final voter list will be published on 30 November.
Regarding electoral laws and regulations, proposals for amending the Representation of the People Order (RPO) and other laws and rules will be finalised by 31 August.
