BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan yesterday said the decision to ban Awami League can be taken by the Election Commission or the government, not by BNP.

He made the comment while speaking to journalists after a meeting with a delegation from the Carter Center at the BNP Chairperson's office in Gulshan.

"Our secretary general has already said this is a matter for the people to decide. The people will determine who will participate in the election and who won't…" Moyeen Khan added.

He also said, "You [the journalists] have asked me whether Awami League will participate in the election or not, whether they will be accepted or not, whether they will be banned or not. Why don't you ask this question to Awami League? Do they really want to participate in the election? Do they really want democracy? That is for them to say."

"Nine months have passed. Has a single leader of Awami League sought forgiveness from the people for their oppression, looting, and misdeeds? Has anyone admitted their mistakes?" he asked.

The BNP leader also said if the election is held by the end of this year, it will be highly acceptable to the people.

"We want to return to a democratic process through a free and fair election as quickly as possible…," he said.

Earlier in the day, the meeting between the BNP and the representatives of the Carter Center took place, where the overall political situation of Bangladesh was discussed.