Jatiya Party to join JS polls, field candidates in 300 seats: Chunnu
"We have decided to join the elections following the assurance of the Election Commission and the government," Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu said today
The Jatiya Party will participate in the upcoming 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election, the party's Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu said today bringing an end to the confusion over the party's stance in regard to the the upcoming national polls.
"We have decided to join the elections following the assurance of the Election Commission and the government," he said during a press briefing at around 3:00pm at the party's Banani office on Wednesday (22 November).
Announcing the party's decision from its Banani office at noon on Wednesday, Chunnu said, "As we have always said, we want an environment of trust for voters to go to the polling stations and vote.
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"We have been assured by all the relevant stakeholders including the Election Commission that the election will be free, fair and acceptable. Voters will be able to exercise their right to vote freely. The Election Commission and the stakeholders concerned have reassured us.
"Believing in their promise, Jatiya Party Chairman Golam Mohammad Quader has decided to participate in the election. On the instructions of the party chairman, I am officially announcing that the Jatiya Party will participate in the election."
Responding to another question during the press brief, Chunnu informed that the Jatiya Party will contest the election with candidates in all 300 constituencies without joining any coalition.
"As of noon we have sold almost 1400 nomination forms. In almost every constituency, more than one interested candidate has collected the nomination form.
"We will participate in the election as a single party as per our declaration. We will not compromise seats with anyone," he said.
Chunnu also said, "The Jatiya Party does transparent politics, there is no accusation of corruption against Jatiya Party. For the last 33 years, the people of the country have preferred our peaceful politics. We hope that we can make a strong competition in all three hundred seats."
He also said if the expelled leaders want to contest from JaPa, the party chairman will decide about allowing them back.
On 15 November, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal announced that the 12th parliamentary election of the country will be held on 7 January.
The CEC came up with the announcement for the next election schedule while addressing the nation.
Soon after the announcement of the Election Schedule, Jatiya Party chief patron Raushan Ershad welcomed it through a statement.
Some leaders, loyal to Raushan, said they would participate in the election, but most of the party's grassroots leaders loyal to its chairman GM Quader at a recent meeting suggested not going to polls under the current government.
