Bangladesh polls could be delayed: election commission

Published November 27, 2013
Teachers from the University of Dhaka, loyal to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), stand in a human chain during a nationwide protest in Dhaka. — Photo by Reuters
Teachers from the University of Dhaka, loyal to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), stand in a human chain during a nationwide protest in Dhaka. — Photo by Reuters

DHAKA: Bangladesh's general election in early January could be postponed to accommodate opposition parties that are threatening to boycott the polls, the election commission said Wednesday.

“If there is consensus among the parties, the election date can be delayed to another date to make sure that all parties can participate in the polls,” Election Commissioner Md. Shahnawaz told AFP.

The election commission had said on Monday night that the election would be held on January 5, but the announcement has helped trigger a new bout of political violence in the volatile country.

A total of nine people have been killed in clashes between the security forces and opposition supporters in the last few days while the country has also been paralysed by a general strike.

The 48-hour shutdown, which began on Tuesday, has led to a complete halt to public transport and widespread closures of shops and government offices.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its Islamist allies have said they will not take part in the election unless Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigns and makes way for a neutral caretaker government which will oversee the contest.

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.