Bangladeshi opposition rejects election schedule, demands interim setup

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – Rejecting the election schedule, Bangladeshi opposition parties on Thursday announced a two-day strike demanding the upcoming election be held under a caretaker government.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Senior Joint Secretary-General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the strike on Sunday and Monday at a virtual press briefing, rejecting the Jan. 7 election date announced by the country’s Election Commission on Wednesday.

Calling the election schedule a farce, he demanded a caretaker government to hold the election.

The country’s apex court declared the caretaker system illegal in 2011 and subsequently the Awami League government amended the Constitution removing the system which was introduced in 1996.

BNP has been on the streets demanding the upcoming election to be held under a non-partisan caretaker government.

At least 18 vehicles, including five in the capital Dhaka, and three cars of a commuter train in central Tangile district were set on fire since the announcement of election schedule on Wednesday, said Fire Service Department.

Additional police and other law enforcers have been deployed in Dhaka, including at the Election Commission offices.

At least 13 opposition men, including a journalist and a policeman, were killed. Over 13,300 BNP supporters, and leaders, have been arrested since Oct. 28.