The nation will plunge into deep darkness if the dialogue fails in holding the next election in a free and fair manner, they said at a discussion titled 'National dialogue: Evaluation and expectation of the civil society' organised by the Council for National Agenda (CNA) at the National Press Club in the city.

"There should not be anything in the dialogue that is extra-constitutional and can supercede the constitution as it will bring ill to the nation," said CAN President Justice Abdur Rouf.

He said judiciary, parliament and Election Commission (EC) are constitutional institutions which must be upheld for the sustenance of democracy.

The constitution ensures the separation of judiciary for its independence, while there is not a single option in the electoral rules that enables the election commissioners to influence the election, said Justice Rouf.

"The discussion in parliament is good, but there is a tendency among the politicians to discuss things outside parliament," he said urging the two leaders Bhuiyan and Jalil to hold discussion keeping the constitution above everything.

Former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Emazuddin Ahmed said both the parties should move from their positions and be cooperative for making the dialogue a success.

"If it (dialogue) ends in a situation that one was defeated and the other won, it will not bring significant success," said the teacher of political science, adding that they can reach a consensus on the amendment of the constitution.

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Executive Director Debapriya Bhattyacharya termed the dialogue a 'primary success of people' saying "This will be a milestone for the culture of dialogue in future."

Some quarters may be happy in the failure of the dialogue, but in that case the nation will have to pay a high cost in the long run, the renowned economist said, adding that inflow of foreign investment and aid, manpower export and export industries will be badly affected.

"We hope the political parties will realise this and reach a consensus," he added.

The Hunger Project Country Director Badiul Alam Majumder said a situation could be created for holding the next elections through dialogue, but many fundamental reforms including those of the political parties are needed for institutionalising democracy.

Caretaker government is a hole in the constitution which will create more complications in future, opined Amar Desh Editor Amanullah Kabir.

"Ninety-five percent problems can be solved if the EC is made totally independent," he added.

The dialogue amid political impasse is surely welcoming, said journalist Sadek Khan and suggested that other national issues, not only the elections, should be discussed in the dialogue.

Brigadier General (Retd) Shakhawat Hossain, AL leader Abul Hasan Chowdhury, former secretaries SM Al Hossain and Shah Abdul Hannan, former ambassador M Anwar Hashem and professors of Dhaka University Abu Ahmed, Ataur Rahman, Razia Akter Banu and Mahbubullah also spoke.