Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her party wants a free and fair election so that people can pick their leaders to run the country.

History says it has been a swing division since 2001. The first two national polls results, since democracy was restored, show none of the two major parties enjoyed absolute supremacy here.

The Election Commission is going to hold a meeting today to discuss preparations for the 11th National Election likely to be held in late December.

The BNP plans to launch countrywide agitation soon after the formation of polls-time government to realise its demand for a free, fair and inclusive national election under a neutral administration and the release of its chairperson.

The BNP is likely to outline its stance on the upcoming national elections and forging of greater national unity at its rally in the capital scheduled for tomorrow.

The liaison committee of Jatiya Oikya Prokriya would be formed after the BNP holds its rally on September 29, said AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury yesterday.

With only a few months left before the national elections, the Election Commission is planning to use electronic voting machines in the polls amid opposition from different political parties including the BNP. The commission has even initiated a move to procure 1.5 lakh EVMs at an estimated cost of Tk 3,821 crore, EC sources told The Daily Star yesterday.