Leaders of the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami met separately with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to discuss overall preparations for the upcoming general election and various government measures.
The separate meetings took place on Wednesday (October 22) at the state guest house Jamuna, where the NCP and Jamaat leaders also discussed the process for implementing the July Charter, a referendum, and a roadmap for the trial of the July killings.
The Chief Adviser assured both parties that the interim government would take all necessary steps to ensure the upcoming national election is neutral and fair. He sought the cooperation of Jamaat, the NCP, and all other active political parties to make the election peaceful and festive.
During his discussion with the Jamaat leaders, the Chief Adviser said, "You can be assured about our neutrality. We have already taken various steps to organize a free, neutral, and fair election; you will see many more initiatives in the future."
In the meeting, a four-member delegation of the NCP, led by the party's Convener Nahid Islam, met with the Chief Adviser. The other members of the NCP delegation were the party's Chief Organizer for the Northern Region, Sarjis Alam, Senior Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin, and Joint Convener Khaled Saifullah.
Following this, a four-member delegation of Jamaat, led by Naib-e-Amir Dr. Syed Mohammad Abdullah Taher, met with the Chief Adviser. The other members were Jamaat's Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar, Assistant Secretary General ATM Masum, and Rafiqul Islam Khan.
Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul, and Industry Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan were present on behalf of the government at both meetings.
During the meeting, Nahid Islam said, "We seek assurance on the roadmap for the trial of the July killings and the implementation of the July Charter before the elections. The government must take firm steps in this regard."
The Chief Adviser, in turn, called upon the NCP to sign the July Charter, stating, "This charter is an invaluable asset for the nation; everyone's participation here is important." He also assured the NCP that the National Consensus Commission is working on the method of implementing the charter.
Nahid Islam informed the Chief Adviser that the NCP has already sent a letter to the commission requesting a discussion with law experts associated with the Consensus Commission.
Immediately after the NCP meeting, the Jamaat leaders met with the Chief Adviser. They demanded a referendum on the July Charter be held before the national election.
During the meeting, Dr. Abdullah Muhammad Taher said, "A referendum should be held before the national election because the July Charter contains many issues that are related to the national polls."
He further added that holding the referendum on the same day as the national election risks prolonging the voting process.
The Jamaat leaders also expressed their party's full confidence in any decision taken by the Chief Adviser to ensure the neutrality of the election-time administration.
The Chief Adviser informed both the NCP and Jamaat leaders that he himself would directly oversee any reshuffling of the administration before the elections.
He assured the leaders that necessary steps would be taken in coordination with the Election Commission.
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