The Awami League and the Samyabadi Dal called on the government to lift the state of emergency earlier than two months ahead of each election. The parties feel this will give the political parties leeway to prepare for the polls.
The two parties of the AL-led 14-party combine at a meeting also called for the resumption of indoor politics across the country so that political leaders and workers could get involved in the voter listing process.
Meanwhile, BNP secretary-general Khodakar Delwar Hossain also urged the government to lift the state of emergency.
Amir Khasru has more on the story.