Don’t defer polls for a single hour, AL to EC

Staff Correspondent: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Political Adviser HT Imam said that the upcoming general election will not be deferred again. We clearly tell EC that you deferred it till December 30. No more again. Not for a day, even not for a single hour.

The co-chairman of the ruling Awami League's election steering committee told this to the reporters after holding meeting with the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday evening.

Earlier, a Jatiya Oikyafront delegation led by Dr Kamal Hossain held a meeting with EC demanding deferral of polls for another three weeks.

HT Imam said, “We have been observing for several days that some quarters are differently talking to defer the polls. But they are not thinking what problems can be happened if the election is deferred again. The previous general polls were also held on December 29, then no question was raised about Christmas Day or celebration of the English new year. It is not that nobody will come if the polls are held on December 30.”

Citing BNP’s demand as ridiculous, he said there is not country in the world that polls date is fixed thinking about the advantages of foreigners. It is an independent and sovereign country. We will prefer our facilities first.

“Several lakh of people will be competent of being voters on January 01. If the election is deferred again and they move to the court asking as to why they could not exercise their franchises, who will take this responsibility. Besides, new books are distributed on the first day of the new year. It will also be hampered,” he added.

risingbd/Dhaka/November 14, 2018/Hasibul/AKA