Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu on Wednesday said the Election Commission's roadmap for the 12th parliamentary election is valueless.
He doubted that the Election Commission (EC) that has no power would be able to conduct a fair election.
As per the law, Chunnu said, the executive branch of the country is supposed to work under the EC during the polls, but nothing is mentioned about what will happen if the executive branch does not listen to the commission.
“So, the executive branch is not bound to obey the directives of the Election Commission,” the Jatiya Party leader said.
He said their party wanted the Election Commission to be empowered by enacting a law so that the commission can take immediate action if anyone disobeys its order. “But the Election Commission does not want to be empowered.”
Chunnu made the comments at the launching programme of an associate body of the Jatiya Party at its chairman’s Banani office.
Earlier in the day, the EC unveiled a roadmap for the 12th parliamentary election at a function at the auditorium of the Nirbachan Bhaban.
As per the roadmap, the general election will be held by January 29, 2024, using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in 150 constituencies out of 300 across the country.
Chunnu said the Election Commission has been making contradictory comments since the beginning. “They’re saying that it's not their job to bring someone to the polls. Then why did you discuss so much with so many political parties? They said, if everyone wants, the election will be held through ballots. The ruling party wants the use of EVM. Then will the commission use EVMs ignoring the opinions of the majority of the parties?”
He said the Election Commission has decided to buy 2 lakh more EVMs to conduct elections in 150 seats alongside constructing 10 warehouses in 10 regions of the country for EVM storage and maintenance.
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“For this, the Election Commission has prepared a budget of about Tk9, 000 crore. Such a decision is unacceptable amid the economic crisis of the country,” the Jatiya Party leader observed.
Stating that the people of the country no longer want to see Awami League and BNP in power, he said the two major parties have failed to ensure good governance in the country. “People of the country want to see a third political force. Jatiya Party is trying to be that alternative force.”
Chunnu said Jatiya Party will not be there in any alliance as it is preparing to participate in the election in all three hundred seats. “The Jatiya Party will not go to anyone else's alliance. If any political force wants to join us under the leadership of Jatiya Party, we will consider it.”