"It won't be acceptable to the nation if the process of formation of the Election Commission starts before taking any decision on restoration of the caretaker government annulled by the present government," Khaleda said during the dialogue at Bangabhaban at 11:00 am.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia led a 15-member delegation of her party to the dialogue.
After the dialogue, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at a press conference at the party's central office at Naya Paltan at 1:00 pm described the outcome of the talks with President Zillur Rahman.
At the outset of the dialogue, Fakhrul said the President mentioned his jurisdiction as per 118 Article of the Constitution over formation of the Election Commission and wanted to know BNP's opinion over the matter.
Responding to the President, the BNP chairperson described the party's position.
Khaleda said the people of the country do not think that the process of the Election Commission is a key issue under the present political aspects following the amendment to the constitution.
She told the President that the key issue of the nation is to hold the next general election under a neutral and non-party caretaker government.
"So, it's essential to take a decision on restoration of the caretaker government system before formation of the Election Commission," she said.
"President Zillur Rahman said he has no authority to go beyond the Constitution," Fakhrul quoted the President as saying.
The BNP acting secretary general said as per provision of the Constitution, the President can only appoint the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice.
"In all other affairs, the President has to carry out his responsibility as per advice of the Prime Minister," he added.
Fakhrul said they are doubtful about the success of the President's initiative for the dialogue. Despite that they have urged the President to take initiative to resolve the present political stalemate for the sake of democracy.
Fakhrul said the President said though he has no authority about it, he will apprise the government of BNP's position.
When asked whether BNP's joining the dialogue with the President would help reduce the standoff between the main opposition and the ruling party, Fakhrul said this depends on the party in power.
"We have taken the positive step," he said adding that BNP believes in democracy and wants the continuation of the democratic process.
He said although they know that the President's power is limited, they joined the dialogue for maintaining the democratic process.
Replying to a question whether BNP will join the parliament, Fakhrul said they did not say that they will not go to parliament. Still, we want to go to the parliament, but the government will have to create an atmosphere.
He, however, said the BNP parliamentary party will take the decision whether they will join the next session of the parliament.
Asked whether the talks with the President were fruitful, the BNP acting secretary general said they went to the dialogue knowing that it would not be fruitful as the power of the President is limited.
He said they did not discuss the formation of the Election Commission.
Asked whether BNP's joining the dialogue was eyewash, he said they want the continuation of democracy. Under the given political impasse and unrest, they joined the president-initiated dialogue to apprise of their position.
Replying to a question about the two registered political parties that were not invited to the dialogue, he said they have informed the matter during the dialogue.
He said it was essential to invite the registered political parties and those who have representation in the parliament.
Asked about the Prime Minister's call to the opposition to discuss their demand in the parliament, Fakhrul said the Prime Minister will have to take initiatives for placing a bill in the parliament on restoration of the caretaker government.
During the dialogue, Khaleda mentioned that the problem that has been created by repealing the caretaker government system cannot be resolved by recasting the Election Commission.
She said BNP thinks that it is not possible to hold a free, fair, neutral and acceptable election under any partisan government.
Referring to the opinions of various professionals, including constitution experts, lawyers, intellectuals and political parties given to a parliamentary special committee on amending the Constitution, Khaleda said nearly all of them opined that the situation has not yet been created to hold the election under a political government by annulling the caretaker government.
She said a constitutional crisis has been created in the country following the annulment of the caretaker government system.
Under the circumstances, Khaleda said it is necessary to restore the caretaker government system and take a decision on appointing the head of the caretaker government.
If the initiative for such discussion is taken, BNP is ready to extend its cooperation in resolving the problem by joining that discussion, she said.
On Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), the BNP chairperson mentioned various loopholes and faults of the EVM and cited its disadvantages and non-transparency.
She also said the EVM system in some of the countries of the world has been dumped.
About the Election Commission, Khaleda said it is not working independently and cited some examples, including non-deployment of army in by-elections in Bhola and Narayanganj City Corporation polls and the overdue election to Dhaka City Corporation.
The BNP delegation members, who attended the dialogue, are Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Dr RA Gani, Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah, MK Anwar, Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia, Nazrul Islam Khan and Dr Osman Farruk.
Source: thefinancialexpress-bd.com
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