Staff Reporter :
Amid the rising demand for rescheduling the Dhaka city corporation election as the voting dated on the day of Saraswati Puja, now the ruling Awami League has said it has no objection over the issue.
“The decision is up to the Election Commission,” AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told the media after a meeting at the party chief’s Dhanmondi offices in Dhaka on Friday
He called on the Election Commission to hold talks with leaders of the Hindu community in order to resolve the controversy surrounding the date of the Dhaka city elections as it coincides with Saraswati Puja
“It’s totally the EC’s jurisdiction to change the date of the election. They could change it if they want to. The AL or the government has nothing to do with it nor do we have any objections if it’s changed,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said the government can do nothing with the Dhaka city polls date, though it coincides with Saraswati Puja.
“Arranging polls to two Dhaka city corporations on the day of Saraswati Puja is an issue of the Election Commission. It will take decisions [on polls-related issues],” he told reporters at the 50-year anniversary of Sher-e-Bangla School and College in the Dhaka’s Madhubagh area on Friday.
He said there is no fear of law and order deterioration surrounding the polls since the people and the law enforcement agencies are responsible.
“We are working as per the directive of the Election Commission,” said the home minister, declining to make further comments.
Meanwhile, a group of Dhaka University (DU) students went on hunger strike on Thursday demanding deferment of the polls on Saraswati Puja day. Four of them fell sick on the second day of their fast unto death.
In Hinduism, Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge and learning, and so, the Puja is held at educational institutions.
However, polling stations will be set up at different educational institutions in the city during the polls, which, many fear will hamper the Saraswati Puja celebrations.
A Supreme Court lawyer filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking deferment of the polls date but his plea was turned down on January 14. Then he has moved to the Appellate Division against the HC order. His appeal is likely to be heard by the Chamber judge on Sunday.
Amid the rising demand for rescheduling the Dhaka city corporation election as the voting dated on the day of Saraswati Puja, now the ruling Awami League has said it has no objection over the issue.
“The decision is up to the Election Commission,” AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told the media after a meeting at the party chief’s Dhanmondi offices in Dhaka on Friday
He called on the Election Commission to hold talks with leaders of the Hindu community in order to resolve the controversy surrounding the date of the Dhaka city elections as it coincides with Saraswati Puja
“It’s totally the EC’s jurisdiction to change the date of the election. They could change it if they want to. The AL or the government has nothing to do with it nor do we have any objections if it’s changed,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said the government can do nothing with the Dhaka city polls date, though it coincides with Saraswati Puja.
“Arranging polls to two Dhaka city corporations on the day of Saraswati Puja is an issue of the Election Commission. It will take decisions [on polls-related issues],” he told reporters at the 50-year anniversary of Sher-e-Bangla School and College in the Dhaka’s Madhubagh area on Friday.
He said there is no fear of law and order deterioration surrounding the polls since the people and the law enforcement agencies are responsible.
“We are working as per the directive of the Election Commission,” said the home minister, declining to make further comments.
Meanwhile, a group of Dhaka University (DU) students went on hunger strike on Thursday demanding deferment of the polls on Saraswati Puja day. Four of them fell sick on the second day of their fast unto death.
In Hinduism, Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge and learning, and so, the Puja is held at educational institutions.
However, polling stations will be set up at different educational institutions in the city during the polls, which, many fear will hamper the Saraswati Puja celebrations.
A Supreme Court lawyer filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking deferment of the polls date but his plea was turned down on January 14. Then he has moved to the Appellate Division against the HC order. His appeal is likely to be heard by the Chamber judge on Sunday.
