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Nominations withheld

Haroon Habib

DHAKA: The Sheikh Hasina-led grand coalition in Bangladesh has refrained from submitting any nominations for the general elections even as the last date for the process expires on Sunday. The coalition has declared that without deferring the January 22 polls and ensuring a level-playing field by revamping the Election Commission, it would not participate in the "blueprint" election. So far, only candidates belonging to the alliance led by the former Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, have submitted nominations. The acting Chief Election Commissioner, Justice Mahfuzur Rahman, has ruled out any further rescheduling of the polls. The newly-floated grand coalition consists of the Awami League-led 14-party combine, Jatiya Party of Gen. H. M. Ershad, Liberal Democratic Party led by Badrudouzza Chowdhury, Tarikat Federation, Zaker Party and a faction of the Islami Oikya Jote. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led alliance is demanding completion of the polls within the stipulated 90 days. Meanwhile, the former President and Jatiya Party chairman, H. M. Ershad, met Ms Hasina on Friday and declared his party's support to the coalition. The use of the army against political demonstrators indicates that President Iajuddin Ahmed is likely to complete the controversial election process even at the risk of a boycott by the grand coalition.

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