The new alliance, led by Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury and Dr Kamal Hossain, on Friday placed five-point demand to the ruling party for the formation of an election-time neutral government.

The new alliance issued a press release signed by Badruddoza Chowdhury and Dr Kamal Hossain in this regard.

Their five points are:

Forming a neutral government to ensure equal opportunities for all the parties after the dissolution of parliament before the announcement of the national election 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, reports the UNB.

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 election.

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.

Earlier, on August 20, Jukto Front chairman and former president Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and Gono Forum president Dr Kamal Hossain announced to forge an alliance of greater ‘unity’ in the ‘interest of the nation’.