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Bangladesh's opposition delegation joins dialogue on formation of new Election Commission

Xinhua, December 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

Bangladesh's largest opposition party leaders led by ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia met have joined the dialogue initiated by the President Md. Abdul Hamid for reconstitution of the election commission ahead of the country's next general elections.

The 13-member Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) delegation on Sunday evening reached the Official Residence-cum-Office of the President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.

The dialogue initiative followed Khaleda Zia's demands for formation of the Election Commission (EC) through consultation with all parties.

Md Joynal Abedin, press secretary to the president, told Xinhua last week that the president will hold talks with all registered parties before appointing the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners in line with Section-118 of the Bangladesh Constitution.

He had then said the marathon talks will begin with Khaleda Zia's largest opposition party BNP on Dec. 18.

Though initially Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League party rejected Khaled's demand, the party later said it is ready to accept the decision taken by President Hamid over formation of the EC.

Speaking at a press briefing on Nov. 18, Khaleda Zia stressed the need for a high-powered and neutral commission to conduct the 11th national elections slated for early 2019 free and fair.

BNP came with its proposals as the term of the current EC is to expire in February next year.

BNP, which alternated power with its arch rival Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League party in 1991, boycotted the election in Jan. 5, 2014 as its demand for polls under a non-party caretaker administration remained unfulfilled.

BNP has still been demanding national polls under a non-party caretaker government. Endit