They also said the country would plunge into deep constitutional crisis if the caretaker government fails to hold the general election by the stipulated 90-day.

Blaming a vested quarter for creating anarchy in the country, they said democracy would be inactive if the election date is deferred violating the constitution.

Jatiya Nagarik Forum, a pro-BNP civil society organisation, organised the dialogue titled 'Present Bangladesh: Responsibility to Flag and Map' at the National Press Club in the city.

Justice Abdur Rauf, former chief election commissioner, said "There is no need for 90 days. Only nine days is enough to hold a fair election if all political parties agree".

He also said institutions of democracy, including the Parliament, the Supreme Court and the Election Commission, are at stake due to conflicts among political parties.

Journalist Sadek Khan said, "Polls day can be only deferred ignoring the three-month stipulated time of the caretaker government after announcing an emergency situation, which is unexpected to all".

Prof Dr M Ershadul Bari, vice chancellor of Bangladesh Open University, said polls date could be deferred violating the stipulated time of the caretaker government if the country faces national disasters like flood and earthquake.

Poet Al Mahmud presided over the dialogue where Daily Naya Diganta Editor Alamgir Mohiuddin, University Grants Commission (UGC) Member Dr Mohammad Mahbub Ullah, Dhaka University Professor Dr Sukamal Barua, Jahangirnagar University former vice chancellor Prof Jasim Uddin Ahmed, Khulna University former vice chancellor Prof Golam Ali Fakir, Journalist Azizul Haq Banna, Dr Hasan Mohammad and Dr Rajia Akhtar Banu also addressed.