Left alliance wants AL govt to resign before polls schedule

Left Democratic Alliance of eight parties on Wednesday demanded resignation of the Awami Legaue government before the schedule for general elections is announced.

The alliance leaders raised the demand at a press conference at Mukti Bhaban in the city’s Paltan area.

“The people do not believe that the elections will be free and fair under a party government,” the alliance chief Mujahidul Islam Selim said.

The alliance includes Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Workers' Party of Bangladesh, the Biplobi (Revolutionary) Workers Party of Bangladesh (RWPB) and Gonosanghati Andolon (Peoples’ Solidarity Movement).

The leaders demanded dissolution of the Jatiya Sangsad (national assembly) and reconstitution of the election commission to ensure a credible ballot.

The 11th parliamentary polls are likely to be held in the last week of next December.

The general secretary of the Biplobi Workers Party and also coordinator of the alliance, Saiful Haque said most of the political parties are against use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), a move announced unilaterally by the election commission secretary.

The election commission’s plan at the last moment to use EVMs in the next election raises serious doubts in the public mind, the left leader added.

He alleged that the people fear the use of EVMs will favour the ruling party to digitally rig votes.

The alliance coordinator Saiful Haque announced their future programmes including seminar, views-exchange meetings, and rallies in September and October.