Awami League (AL) presidium member Lt Col (retd) Faruk Khan has said there is no constitutional or legal mandate requiring the participation of the BNP in elections. 

He was responding to questions from journalists, after exchanging views with the Election Commission on Saturday.

Replying to concerns about the BNP's absence from dialogue, Faruk Khan pointed out that neither the constitution nor any international law stipulates the mandatory involvement of the BNP in elections. 

He also noted that in various countries worldwide, many political parties choose not to participate in elections.

Furthermore, Faruk Khan stated that all political parties, regardless of their capacity, level of public support, or people's confidence in them, have the freedom to decide whether or not to participate in elections.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was among nine parties that skipped today's second session of talks with the Election Commission.

Earlier in July last year, the EC held a dialogue with the political parties to prepare the action plan for the 12th national election while a few political parties including BNP did not attend the dialogue.

BDST: 1753 HRS, NOV 4, 2023
MN/SMS