The proposal that came after BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia met Iajuddin at his Bangabhaban office at 6.40pm was summarily ruled out by the Awami League with the exception that it is ready to accept the peace formula if the two new appointees replace the Chief Election Commissioner MA Aziz and Commissioner SM Zakaria.

Iajuddin, who postponed his meeting with his advisers in the morning, will address the nation today or tomorrow to explain his efforts in resolving the tethering political crisis that dogged the nation since the caretaker government took over on October 29.

Sources said the advisers, after their three days of hectic meetings with the major political parties to find a solution to the debate of whether to reconstitute the Election Commission, had sat with Iajuddin in the morning yesterday, a day ahead of the scheduled date proposed by the chief adviser. The CA however did not give any decision to the advisers' majority advice that the EC be reconstituted with Aziz requested to step down.

As Iajuddin adjourned the meeting until 9 in the night, Khaleda met the CA and clearly laid down her terms that if anything is done beyond the constitution, her party would not cooperate with the caretaker government.

After Khaleda left Bangabhaban, Iajuddin again met his advisers and told them that he would address the nation to throw his proposal for appointment of two new commissioners to the EC.

"We discussed about the possibility of appointing two new election commissioners and the president would inform the nation about this," Information Adviser Mahbubul Alam told reporters.

Responding to the CA's decision, AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil told The Daily Star last night: "If MA Aziz and SM Zakaria are replaced by the two new election commissioners, then we may consider it."

Adviser Alam in his briefing meanwhile pointed out that the constitution bars removal of the CEC.

"We have examined in detail the constitutional provisions in this respect.

"As it is a very important national matter and as the president himself would address the nation, it is not possible for me to disclose anymore about this matter."

He also ducked a question whether the council of advisers had reached a consensus on reforming the EC through the appointment of two more election commissioners.

About the AL-led 14-party alliance's deadline for enforcing blockade again, he said the president would make an appeal to all in this respect.

The president held a two-hour meeting with the BNP delegation from 6.40-8.40pm before resumption of the adjourned meeting of the council of advisers.

"Those who demand reconstitution of the Election Commission, if they agree, I will appoint two more election commissioners," the state run news agency BSS reported last night quoting the Bangabhaban spokesman. "The president and chief adviser said all actions will be led by constitutional provisions," the spokesman said.

The four-member delegation of the advisory council, who had held bilateral dialogues with major political parties from November 13 to 15, were waiting for two days for directions from the chief adviser to move forward for resolving the crisis.

Iajuddin convened yesterday's full council meeting amid widespread criticism from different corners for the delay with apprehensions of deepening of the political crisis in absence of immediate measures from the caretaker government.

Meanwhile, some advisers expressed their doubts about the idea of appointing more election commissioners to bring balance in the four-member EC.

"We are not sure whether appointing more election commissioners will make the Election Commission effective," an adviser told The Daily Star on condition of anonymity.

In the morning, the four members of the advisers' delegation- Dr Akbar Ali Khan, CM Shafi Sami, Mahbubul Alam and Yasmeen Murshed- briefed the council about the outcome of the bilateral dialogues with political parties.

In the dialogues, the AL-led 14-party coalition, Jatiya Party (Ershad), Jatiya Oikya Front, and Jukto Front categorically demanded reconstitution of the EC through resignation of the CEC and reshuffling of the administration. On the other hand BNP-led four-party alliance vehemently opposed reconstitution of the EC and massive reshuffle in the administration.