Islamic Front, Bangladesh NAP place proposals to president for EC formation

Islamic Front Bangladesh (IFB) Tuesday placed five proposals while Bangladesh National Awami Party (Bangladesh NAP) three during separate dialogues with President M Abdul Hamid over forming an acceptable Election Commission (EC). On the 14th day of the ongoing talks, an eight-member IFB delegation led by its president Allam Sayed Mohammad Bahadur Shah Mujaddedi and secretary general Abul Bashar Mohammad Zainul Abedin Zubaer and another eight-member delegation of Bangladesh NAP led by its chairman Jebel Rahman Ghani took part in the dialogues at Bangabhaban's Durbar Hall here.

After the meeting, President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told BSS that the two parties proposed to enact a time-betting law and form an EC as per the constitution. They also proposed that the EC in collaboration with the executive branch would take necessary steps to ensure fair credible polls.

Therefore, they proposed the formation of a transparent, accountable, self-reliant election commission in accordance with the Constitution. They also proposed to keep the overall election activities free from government's interference. The IFB delegation proposed to telecast all directives of the EC through media, including the radio and television. The press secretary said Bangladesh NAP proposed to adopt a modern electoral management system (EMS).

They proposed to ensure the use of technology (such as people counting machines, CCTV or IP cameras, recording live screening technology) for holding a free, fair and neutral voting at each polling centre. They said a meaningful democracy is not possible without participatory elections Welcoming the delegation, the President sought allout cooperation of all, irrespective of party affiliations, and the Executive as it is essential for ensuring a free, fair and credible election.     

Besides, the President said the mindset of the people has to be changed in this regard. President's Office Secretary Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin and Secretary (Attachment) Md Wahidul Islam Khan were present there. Abedin said the President has invited 32 political parties, including ruling party Bangladesh Awami League for the dialogue over the formation of an independent, neutral and credible election commission. The President began the talks with the Jatiya Party, the main opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament), on December 20, the first day of the ongoing dialogue with the political parties.

Next dialogue, according to Bangabhaban, is scheduled to be held with Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) at 4 pm and the National Peoples' Party (NPP) at 6pm on January 12 (Wednesday). On January 13, the President will hold talks with Zaker Party at 6 pm, Bangladesh Kolyan Party at 7 pm and Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) at 8pm.

Meanwhile, the ruling party Bangladesh Awami League (AL) is scheduled to hold dialogue with the President at 4 pm on January 17 (Monday). Earlier, a dialogue was held with the participation of political parties ahead of the ninth, tenth and eleventh parliamentary elections. The President has been given the power to appoint CECs and no more than four Election Commissioners. In the last few terms, the President has formed the Election Commission on the basis of the recommendations of the Search Committee. The current EC's five-year tenure will end on February 14 next year. During this period, the President will form a new EC, under which the 12th Jatiya Sangsad elections will be held.