AL won't join EC reform talks if ban on politics exists
Says Zillur
Unb, Dhaka
Awami League (AL) would not participate in the Election Commission's planned dialogue with political parties on electoral reforms in September if the current ban on indoor politics remains, acting AL president Zillur Rahman said yesterday."We have to take decision about our position on proposed reforms at the working committee meeting before joining such dialogue with the EC," he told journalists at his Gulshan residence. Zillur said they cannot participate in the EC's dialogue without holding discussion within the party forum. Election Commissioner Brig. Gen. (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain Thursday said the Commission would discuss electoral reforms with political parties in September whether or not the restriction on indoor politics is in place. Zillur welcomed Chief Justice M. Ruhul Amin's assurance that the Supreme Court judges will weigh in to rescue the nation from any crisis, saying that the nation would be saved if the Chief Justice's assurance could be materialized. About preparation of the voter list, he said an appropriate voter list is mandatory for holding free and fair election. Welcoming the Chief Advisor's pledge to hold general elections by 2008, Zillur said, "Election could be possible earlier if the government was more sincere about preparing the voter list." AL leaders Habibur Rahman Seraj, Maj Gen (Retd) Subid Ali Bhuiyan and Dr Dipu Moni were present.
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