Jatiya Oikya Front comprising the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Jatiya Oikya Mancha and Tarikat Federation would take position near the Returning Officer's Office at Segunbagicha in the capital, for four days from today to prevent the four-party alliance candidates from submitting nomination papers. They will not, however, take part in the hartal programme.

Today's shutdown, starting at 6:00am, was announced from a grand rally of 14-party alliance, Jatiya Party (Ershad) and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Monday. Top leaders of the parties from the Paltan rally vowed to resist filing nomination papers for the ninth parliamentary election. They

said declaring the election schedule and holding polls before publishing the final voter roll are unconstitutional.

As per the previous election schedule, the last date for filing nomination papers was today. But, the Election Commission yesterday extended the date for nomination filing to December 24 keeping January 22 election day unchanged.

The hajj pilgrims carrying transports, ambulances, newspaper vehicles, drug stores, garbage carrying vehicles and other emergency vehicles will remain outside the purview of today's shutdown.

The 14-party combine and Jatiya Party (Ershad) have taken all out preparations to make today's hartal a success while the activists will demonstrate at some 40 spots in the capital in support of the hartal.

The hajj pilgrims carrying transports, ambulances, newspaper vehicles, drug stores, garbage carrying vehicles and other emergency vehicles will remain outside the purview of the hartal.