Two smaller parties meet EU mission to discuss JS polls

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu) and the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party  held separate meetings with the visiting European Union Election Expert Mission on Saturday and discussed the upcoming national elections and made clear about their role and position.

The EU mission was represented by David Noel Ward, team leader and an electoral expert, and Alexander Matus, a political expert.

After the meeting, the AB Party told the media that they had conveyed to the EU team that neither the current government nor the Election Commission has demonstrated interest in ensuring elections that are deemed acceptable.

"The false convictions of close to six hundred top opposition leaders are not conducive to any free, fair, participatory, and credible election," the AB party delegation said. 

Concerns were raised regarding the lack of a level playing field in the upcoming election, including the issue of "fake political parties and dummy candidates" fielded by the ruling party.

The AB representatives were, Tajul Islam, an advocate of supreme court of Bangladesh and a joint convenor of the AB Party, as well as Mojibur Rahman Monju, member secretary, Asaduzzaman Fuaad and Zubair Ahmed Bhuiyan, both barrister-at-law and joint member secretaries.

During the meeting with JSD (Inu),  the EU mission wanted to know about the constitution, electoral law, caretaker government, 12th national election situation, 14-party alliance, position and role of the party.

JSD President Hasanul Haq Inu told the mission that the Election Commission is actively and efficiently preparing for the elections, leveraging the powers and jurisdiction granted by the country's constitution.

He highlighted the collaborative support from the government and the executive branch, aligning with the EC's needs.

Inu pointed out that the electoral landscape would be more competitive if the BNP refrained from its disruptive approach of boycotting and resisting elections, opting instead for active participation.