Country’s most of the civil society members told the Election Exploratory Mission of the European Union that a peaceful and violence-free political situation is prevailing in Bangladesh. Besides, they also said neither they proposed for any caretaker government for the next 12th general election nor the EU delegation team asked about it, according to report published in this newspaper on Monday.
The six-member EU delegation held four separate meetings with the civil society personnel. Besides, the delegation also held meetings with the country’s political parties and the members of civil society.
The meetings between the EU delegation and the four major political parties including ruling Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalists Party, Jatiya Party and Jamaat-e-Islami played out on mostly familiar notes.
The caretaker government issue was not raised in any conversation. While the BNP reiterated the demand for a caretaker government, which the Jamaat-e-Islami also supported, the Jatiya Party chose to strike a balance, urging the government to sit for dialogue.
The ruling Awami League, as always, said the election-time government would be formed only under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Therefore, the next JS polls will be held in line with the provisions of the country’s Constitution as there is no scope to go beyond the Constitution.
BNP leaders should take
down the ghost of the
caretaker government
from their heads and
participate in the elections
BNP had expected that the visiting foreign representatives would talk about a non-party caretaker government and the resignation of the present government but none raised the issue. The BNP’s one-point demand is the resignation of the Awami League government and formation of a non-partisan government. But the party neither got any support for the demand from the people of Bangladesh nor from foreigners. It is clear to all no foreign country proposed or imposed any pressure on government to restore the election time caretaker government.
Country’s 12th national polls will be held by January 29, 2024. The Election Commission (EC) has constitutional obligation to conduct the 12th national polls between November, 2023 and January 29, 2024. Keeping this in mind, the commission is working hard to arrange the next general elections in a free, fair and participatory manner. The elections will be held in the country like in other democratic countries across the globe.
So, BNP leaders should take down the ghost of the caretaker government from their heads and participate in the elections. Elections will be held under the commission and the government only plays the role of facilitator during time of polls.All political parties must participate in elections under the commission. Elections will be held in Bangladesh as like as all parliamentary democratic countries across the globe including India, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, Continental European countries. The current government will discharge the duties of polls-time government.
Considering all above, the BNP must discard the demand for restoration of the caretaker government system ahead of the upcoming general elections as it (system) has been sent to the museum by a court order.
