Dhaka: The Election Commission (EC) is set to continue its preparatory dialogues on Monday with 12 registered political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, as part of its comprehensive discussions ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) election. This initiative is part of an ongoing series of dialogues that commenced on Thursday.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the discussions will be held at the conference hall of the Election Building in Agargaon, with Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin presiding over the sessions. EC officials have detailed that the morning session, scheduled from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, will engage with representatives from Bangladesh Labour Party, Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote, Bangladesh National Awami Party, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, Bangladesh Kalyan Party, and Bangladesh Muslim League-BML. The afternoon session, from 2 pm to 4 pm, will include talks with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), Bangladesh Development Party, Bangladesh Islami Front, Khelafat Majlis, and National Democratic Party-Jagpa.
Separate sessions are also planned for Sunday, with the EC meeting six parties, including Gonoforum and Islamic Front Bangladesh, in the morning, and another six parties, including Bangladesh Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal-Bangladesh Jasad, in the afternoon. This follows the initial dialogue day on Thursday when the EC engaged with 12 political parties.
EC officials have outlined the agenda for these discussions, which will address various electoral processes. Topics include pre-election measures for candidates and parties, adherence to the electoral code of conduct post-schedule announcement, pledge signings with the EC and returning officers, the management of election agents, and strategies to counter misinformation and disinformation. The dialogues will also focus on regulating AI misuse in elections, maintaining communal harmony, prohibiting discrimination based on gender, race, or religion, and preventing political campaigning in religious venues.