PM's stress on timely polls

PRIME Minister Sheikh Hasina has again told senior leaders of some political parties at the Gono Bhaban that under any circumstances the next general election will be held on schedule. Such a concern is understandable. We endorse her spirit of holding election in due time. However, we would like to emphasise that constitutional compulsion should not get the better of the need for holding the election in an inclusive and participatory manner.

More importantly, what cannot be lost sight of in this case is that the election is an occasion for people to cast their votes in a festive mood. So it must be ensured that all major political stakeholders do take part in the election.
We know from our previous experience how insistence on constitutionality led the 1991 BNP government into holding the farce of an election in 1996 that could not gain acceptance either at home or abroad.
We hope the prime minister is well aware of the imperative necessity of not merely going through motions of an election but of holding a substantive and meaningful election. What is more, she is also the one who knows better than anyone else where the root of the prevailing political standoff over the conduct of the next general election lies.  Much water has flowed under the bridge about holding a long-talked-about political dialogue between the ruling AL and opposition BNP to get over the present stalemate, but that is still to materialise. Being in the government, the onus is on the PM to initiate a discussion with the opposition while there is still time for it.