Polls to reflect people's aspiration, hopes Hossain Zillur

DHAKA, Bangladesh, July 18 (BSS) - Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman today hoped that the coming elections would reflect hopes and aspirations of the people through united efforts of all
concerned.

He said all stakeholders, particularly the political parties
and the government, have similar responsibilities to bring
qualitative changes in politics through free, fair and credible
elections.

The commerce adviser was addressing a joint press briefing at
the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) this afternoon following the
government's dialogue with Jatiya Party (JP).

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed was present at the
dialogue, the 27th of its kind. Jatiya Party (JP) Secretary
General Sheikh Shahidul Islam led a nine-member delegation of his
party at the talks.

Dr Hossain Zillur said the government is taking all out
measures to arrange such an election in December next which will
be different from the polls held in the past.

He said all quarters, specially the political parties, have
to come forward in making a sustainable change of the traditional
anarchic political culture in the country.

The commerce adviser categorically said that any difference,
if exists, will be overcome through discussion instead of turning
it into an issue of conflict.

Referring to participation of some candidates belonging to
"negative politics" in the coming city corporation and pourasabha
polls, he said it is a wake up call and the political parties
should take steps to this end.

He said meaningful political transformation would not be
possible without united efforts of all concerned.

Replying to a question on the Representation of People
Ordinance which was approved in principle recently in a meeting
of the council of advisers, he said the government will consider
the matter if any opinion on the ordinance comes from society.

In the briefing, Jatiya Party Secretary General Sheikh
Shahidul Islam said they had placed five recommendations to the
government in the dialogue for holding a credible election in the
country.

He said the recommendations included compelling the
candidates to obey the election code of conduct, keeping the war
criminals out of the election race and formation of a national
committee involving all political parties.

Sheikh Shahid said Jatiya Party wants the government to go
forward to its goal of holding a meaningful election as per the
roadmap and hand over power to an elected government next year.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, LGRD
Adviser Mohammad Anwarul Iqbal and Law Adviser A F Hassan Ariff
were present at the briefing.

JP Presidium members Abdur Rahim, Ms Amena Bari and Shah
Mohammad Rafiqul Bari Chowdhury, Vice- President Abu Sayeed Khan
and Additional Secretary General Sadeq Siddique were also
present.