The 4-party alliance feels that election must be held at any cost come hell or high water. It is of very little concern to them whether others participate or not, as long as the election is held within the time frame laid down in the constitution. What they imply in fact is participation of the 14-party is of no consequence to them, only holding of the election is what matters.

The 14-party alliance on the other hand is insisting on a free and fair election implying that the relevant constitutional provisions that binds all the activities related to the election including holding of elections within a specific time limit don't really matter.

We believe that while both have merit in their arguments, emphasis only on the points that suit them is hardly acceptable, particularly because their demands ignore the need to ensure that the conditions that will guarantee the holding of a free and fair elections within the period laid down by the constitution have to be satisfied.

We feel that both the alliances realise the merit of the other's argument on the essential conditions for holding the elections yet pursue their own line for political benefits and not on greater national interest. This has made resolution of the impasse difficult and holding of the election uncertain.

Free and fair election is what we need and this is exactly what is the concern of the Bangladeshis at this time. Therefore, why should the political parties emphasise purely on the basis of convenience? These are not mutually exclusive but complementary matters that cannot be treated in isolation.

We would like to emphasise on two very important points. We would like the elections to be held as per the constitutional provisions, but at the same time, in order to hold it within the time frame, other essential requirements will have to be fulfilled too. These are essential issues which also our development partners and foreign friends feel must be addressed satisfactorily to make the election credible.

What is the need of the time is a coalescent approach bereft of parochialism. Only then can a free and fair election, to the satisfaction of the people, is possible.