DHAKA, Nov 7, 2018 (BSS) – Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today expressed his firm optimism that the upcoming elections would be most inclusive one adding a new milestone to Bangladesh’s history.
“I believe that the upcoming polls will be the most inclusive elections with the participation of all,” he told newsmen emerging from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led ruling 14-party coalition dialogue with 24 different parties including ex-minister Nazmul Huda’s NDA this evening.
Briefing the reporters at Ganobhaban, the dialogue venue, Quader said the election was expected to add as well “a new milestone to the country’s history”.
Asked for comments on the possibility of Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Front (JOF) participation in the elections, Quader said “I’m not expressing any doubt that they will not come to the polls”.
“Now a favourable wind is flowing across the country ahead of the polls,” the Awami League general secretary said adding that the premier “poured water on their “concern, sense of uncertainty and heat involving the elections”.
Quader said nearly 100 political parties joined the weeklong dialogue with the 14-party alliance and most of them expressed opinion to keep up democratic trend by upholding the constitution.
“To this end, the election process will start, while it will get a pace after announcement of polls schedule, and election will advance towards its expected goal,” he said.
The AL general secretary said the dialogue would have a positive impact on Bangladesh’s politics and described it as a “big and historic” political event in entire Asia.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has set an unprecedented example by holding this dialogue,” Quader said.
He said with the talks with the 24 parties this evening marked the formal conclusion of the weeklong dialogue with different alliances and parties.
“The Prime Minister’s door for holding any kind of discussion is always open but the dialogue ahead of the next election is over today,” he said.
Asked about the postponement of the premier’s scheduled press conference tomorrow on the dialogue outcome, Quader said she decided to reschedule it since the Election Commission said they would announce the polls schedule tomorrow.
He said the press conference would be held in another time to be fixed by the Prime Minister.
The AL general secretary said that after announcement of the election schedule the government would act as a facilitator to the EC.
Earlier briefing reporters, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) President Barrister Nazmul Huda said that they wanted to participate in the next election under the present constitutional system.
“We told the Prime Minister that we want to participate in the next election during the tenure of the elected government as an unelected government lacked responsibility and accountability,” Huda said.