Staff Reporter :
Eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossian, convener of Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, has formally announced a “greater national unity” with five-point demand and nine-target declaration.
The demands include dissolution of Parliament, deployment of military, formation of a non-party polls-time government and cancellation of EVM.
He came up with the announcement at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday.
Dr. Kamal Hossain said, “We are announcing the joint declaration of forming the national unity process. We will unite all people creating unity at every villages, areas and houses across the country to meet the goal.
He further said, “The greater national unity begins from today (Saturday). I hope our unity will yield a very positive outcome with support from people, and a functional democracy will be restored in the country.”
Jukta Front member secretary and Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, on behalf of the two platforms, read out the joint declaration of the national unity at the press conference.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) presidents ASM Abdur Rob, Zafrullah Chowdhury, the founder of Gonoshasthaya Kendra, among others, were present.
Earlier, leaders of the two platforms tried to go to the Central Shaheed Minar from the Jatiya Press Club to place wreaths there before the announcement of the national unity. But they returned halfway through as what they said the Dhaka University authorities asked them not to go there
Their five point demands are:
Forming a neutral government to ensure equal opportunities for all the parties after the dissolution of parliament before the announcement of the national elections schedule and forming the new government in consultation with all the political parties; and members of the election-time government will have to be barred from participating in the election.
Constituting a new Election Commission with acceptable persons to ensure a free, fair and neutral election after discussions with all the political parties; and allowing all the media to exercise freedom of speech while the political parties the full right to hold rallies.
Withdrawing the false cases filed against leaders and activists of all the political parties, including students who led the “quota reform” and “safe road” movements, and releasing the detainees. And not to arrest any political leaders and activists of any political party until the election is over.
Deployment of army, magistrates and law enforcement agencies in each election area and allowing the election commission to exercise its full authority over law enforcement agencies one month before and 10 days after the elections.
Dropping the idea of using EVMs in the elections and amending the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972 to create a level-playing field for all the political parties.
About the nine-point target declaration, they said balance of power among the Parliament, Government, President and Prime Minister, reform anti-corruption commission (ACC) as time being, ensure knowledge and quality based appointment in job sectors, ensure nutritious healthy life for indigenous people etc.
