Bilkis Irani in Dhaka Tribune, June 18, 2017 at 09:04 PM
BNP has demanded the next general election be held under the 1984 delimitation as such a move ensures a level playing field for all partiesDhaka Tribune
The BNP standing committee member said that no objection was raised about the 1984 delimitation in 2008, but the 1/11 government changed it for unknown reasons.
BNP has demanded the next general election follow the parliamentary constituency delimitation made in 1984, as the general elections in 2008 and 2014 were held as per fresh delimitations.
BNP Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain made the statement to reporters after holding a meeting, as part of a four-member delegation, with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda at the Election Commission building in Agargaon on Sunday.
Mosharraf said: “The latest delimitation was conducted before the general election was held in 2008 during the army-backed caretaker government, without consulting the political parties.”
“This raised some problems for all quarters, including the political parties, administration and Election Commission,” he said.
The BNP standing committee member said that no objection was raised about the 1984 delimitation in 2008, but the 1/11 government changed it for unknown reasons.
The fresh delimitation created various problems for at least 134 out of 300 constituencies, he said.
“There is still no level playing field as the BNP is being attacked. The EC should put pressure on the government to ensure a level playing field in the next parliamentary election,” he added.
“The Election Commission should make it clear that it is not its responsibility alone to ensure a level playing field for all during the polls as the government has a role to play here,” Mosharraf further said.
Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda spoke to reporters as well following the meeting.
He said: “The Election Commission has no jurisdiction to pressure the government to ensure a level playing field in the election.”
“We agree with the point that BNP has raised on reinstating the boundaries. However, we have to discuss with all political parties and stakeholders how this matter will be managed,” he added. http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/politics/2017/06/18/bnp-next-election-under-1984-delimitation/
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