EC invites 12 parties for Nov 13 dialogue

The Election Commission (EC) has sent invitation letters to 12 political parties to attend the opening day of its electoral dialogue on Thursday (November 13).

Confirming the development, Ruhul Amin Mallik, director (Public Relations) of the EC Secretariat, said, "The Election Commission has invited 12 political parties to take part in the dialogue on November 13. The opening day's talks will be held in two sessions."

The first session is scheduled from 10:00am to 12:00pm, and the second from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

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According to the EC's final list, the parties invited for the morning session are Liberal Democratic Party, Bangladesh Congress, Bangladesh Muslim League, National People's Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, and Jamiyate Ulamaye Islam Bangladesh.

The afternoon session will include the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nationalist Front, and Bangladesh Nationalist Movement.

Earlier, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the commission will begin dialogue with registered political parties from November 13.

"We will discuss the changes made to the RPO and the code of conduct, and seek their cooperation for a fair election. We will also listen to their views," he told reporters at the Election Bhaban in Dhaka.

Regarding the reason behind the Election Commission's publication of a gazette amending the RPO (Representation of the People Order) and the code of conduct before holding discussions with political parties, the EC Secretary did not provide a direct answer.

Asked whether further amendments to the RPO and the code of conduct would be made based on feedback from the political parties, he responded, "Please wait until the day after tomorrow."

On the issue of referendums, the EC secretary said, "I have spoken about the issue before. The Election Commission or the EC Secretariat has not received any instructions or engaged in any discussions about a referendum."