No objection to election schedule announcement, BNP tells EC
The party does not want to extend the process except under unavoidable circumstances, Nazrul says
BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan has said the party has no objection to the timing of the upcoming election schedule announcement and expressed hope that the polls will be held on time.
The BNP leader's comments come after Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar recently stated that the schedule for the 12th national parliamentary election will be announced by 11 December.
Speaking to journalists after meeting the chief election commissioner (CEC) at the Election Commission building in Agargaon today (4 December), Nazrul said the party wants elections to proceed as planned and does not wish to extend the process except under unavoidable circumstances.
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The BNP delegation, led by Nazrul, included party chairperson's adviser Ismail Zabiullah and former acting secretary of the Election Commission Dr Mohammad Zakaria.
He added that BNP has announced more candidates for the upcoming elections and reaffirmed the party's commitment to ensuring that elections are held on time, allowing the public to exercise their voting rights.
Asked whether Khaleda Zia's illness might affect the election, Nazrul said, "We expect she will recover and return to us soon, and be able to participate in election-related activities."
Regarding Tarique Rahman's voter status, he said, "He is a Bangladeshi citizen. There is no barrier to him becoming a voter. The commission can enroll him anytime it wishes."
Nazrul said the BNP proposed increasing the number of polling booths, marking places, and ballot seals for the upcoming 13th national election.
To ensure transparency in the election, BNP reiterated its objection to printing ballot papers at any non-government institution.
"At present, ballot papers are printed at three government facilities. BNP insists that no private institution be given this responsibility," he said.
Nazrul Islam Khan said the Election Commission has assured that ballot papers will not be printed at any private press.
