DHAKA: The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed, urged the two major political parties of the country to reach in consensus as the time is running towards the polls.

The CEC made the plea in response to a query while talking to journalists at Election Commission (EC) secretariat on Tuesday.

He said: “The time is passing away and the two major political parties should come into a consensus as the political gridlock should be ease and clam down for free and fair polls.”

Rakibuddin also expressed hope that the major political parties would resolve the prevailing political crisis by holding talks.

Regarding Jatiya Party’s boycott the 10th national polls, he said, “EC is performing under law and we will decide on the matter as per law.”

As per the polls schedule, the 10th general election will be held on January 5 while the deadline of withdrawing the nomination is December 13.

Earlier, the deadline for submitting nomination expired on Monday.

BDST: 1910 HRS, DEC 03, 2013