Parties divided on campaign by MPs

The BNP yesterday asked the Election Commission to retain the provision in the new electoral code of conduct that restricts lawmakers from electioneering for mayoral candidates.

However, the ruling Awami League and the main opposition Jatiya Party urged the EC to change the provision, allowing MPs to join election campaigns in the December 30 municipal polls.

In a 14-point demand submitted to the EC, the BNP called for deferring the municipal polls by at least 15 days.

The three political parties conveyed their views to the commission at separate meetings with it at the EC Secretariat in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar yesterday. 

At the meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, the JP delegation sought deferment of the municipal election without mentioning any specific time.

As the CEC informed the delegation that it would not be possible to defer the election, the JP leaders requested him to extend the deadline for submission of nomination papers by at least 10 days.

According to the polls schedule, the last date for filing nomination papers is December 3.

Wrapping up the meetings with the three parties, Rakibuddin told journalists that the EC would sit today to decide on the parties' demands for deferring the polls and lifting restrictions on electioneering by MPs. 

He said it would not be possible for the EC to hold the polls in January or February next year, as the EC has to update the electoral roll in January and SSC exams will be held in February.

Earlier, a six-member AL delegation led by party's Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif met the CEC, and requested that changes are brought to the electoral code of conduct to allow MPs to join the electioneering in the upcoming municipal election.

The electoral code of conduct restricts individuals enjoying government facilities from taking part in electoral activities or electioneering for any candidate. The list includes Prime Minister, Speaker, ministers and MPs.

The restriction will not affect the BNP as the party, which boycotted the January 5 national election last year, does not have any representation in parliament. All its office bearers are free to join electioneering for their mayoral candidates.

However, many of the AL central leaders will not be able to take part in electioneering since they are ministers or MPs. The party now wants the EC to change the provision.

Emerging from the meeting with the EC, Hanif told reporters, "We have argued that since the municipal polls will now be held under party banners, lawmakers have the constitutional right to take part in electioneering.

"We have requested the chief election commissioner not to deprive lawmakers of their rights."

JP Secretary General Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu, who led a five-member team at the meeting with the EC, also spoke in favour of allowing MPs to join electioneering.

"We told the EC that it is the democratic right of party leaders and activists. They [the EC] cannot curtail the rights by imposing restrictions," he told reporters after the meeting.

On the BNP demand for deferring the polls, Hanif said he hoped the EC would settle the issue in accordance with the rules.

Later, a seven-member BNP delegation led by party leader Osman Farroque met the CEC.  

"We told the CEC that the commission should remain vigilant so that ministers and MPs cannot join election campaign or influence the polls," Osman, adviser to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, told reporters.

The party's demands include an immediate stop to arrest of opposition men, release of detained BNP men, a level playing field in the polls, improvement of law and order, and dropping of "pro-AL public officials" from the list of election officials.

On the BNP demand for releasing its detained leaders and activists before the polls, the CEC said if anybody felt that he was arrested for wrong reasons or for harassment, he could go to court. And the commission would obey the court order.

According to the election schedule, of the 323 municipalities in the country, 236 will go to polls on December 30.

The deadline for submitting nomination papers is December 3 while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 13.