Ruling, opposition parties adamant as Bangladesh moves closer to elections

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – The ruling Awami League party and allies in Bangladesh have announced candidates as the last date for nomination for the next election will end on Nov. 30 amid a boycott call from the opposition alliance.

Awami League official Mahbubul Alam Hanif told Anadolu: "The people will determine their representative in the parliament in a free and fair manner on Jan.7."

Calling the opposition protest as "violent and undemocratic," he said" "it is their (opposition) democratic right not to participate in the election, but they don't have the right to obstruct it."

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party official Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed on Monday announced a fresh strike for Wednesday and Thursday, demanding the cancellation of the election schedule and forming an interim setup. The government has rejected such demands.

"The government has unleashed a terrible repression on the democracy-loving people to retain power through a one-sided election," he alleged.

At least 17 opposition men, including a journalist and a policeman, were killed, and over 19,900 BNP supporters have been arrested since the Oct. 28 political turmoil.

Former Election Commissioner M Sakhawat Hossain believes that the election would be held as scheduled without the opposition's participation.

"The consequence of the unchanged situation would establish Bangladesh as an autocratic country and its volatile economy may face further pressure as it seems locked in a confrontation with the countries it has trade relations (west and allies) over a participatory election," Hossain, a former army officer, told Anadolu.