Jasad proposes permanent legal framework, search committee to form EC

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) today proposed enacting a permanent legal framework and forming a search committee to constitute an acceptable Election Commission (EC) as they held a dialogue with President M Abdul Hamid Wednesday.  A six-member Jasad delegation, led by its chief Hasanul Haque Inu, MP, came up with the proposals during a talk with President M Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban here in the afternoon. 

The dialogue lasted for about an hour from 4 pm.  At the end of the dialogue, Inu told reporters that they had placed a number of specific proposals to the President.   He said according to Article 118 of the Constitution, the President has the authority to form the Election Commission and "We highly appreciated  the initiatives of the President  for initiating discussions with other political parties to form an acceptable EC." 

Inu said the government usually faces an awkward situation every five years with the formation of the Election Commission. So, the enactment of a permanent law can resolve the issue. On the other hand, Inu said the President could advise the government to form an inquiry committee. In that case, members from the country's constitutional bodies should be included in the committee, he said, adding that it is necessary to include people, who have honesty, integrity and acceptance. 

He also mentioned that the individuals with the status of Appellate Division Judges and Comptroller and Auditor General can be chosen in this regard.    The formation of an election commission was not enough for a free, fair and credible poll, the Jasad chief said, adding "It is necessary to ensure that the government's executives extend all-out cooperation to the EC properly." After the dialogue, President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told BSS that the President held talks with one of the opposition parties in Jatiya Sangsad at Bangabhaban on the second day over the formation of an independent, neutral, acceptable, strong and effective Election Commission.

Welcoming the Jasad delegation at Bangabhaban, the President said there was no specific law for forming the Election Commission.   Therefore, he hoped that all political parties would play a very positive role in forming an acceptable EC. The head of state sought the full cooperation of all the political parties in this regard.  The delegation members include Jasad General Secretary Shirin Akhter, MP, Acting President Md Rabiul Alam, Standing Committee Member and former MP Mosharraf Hossain, vice-president Mir Hossain Akhter, and VP Former lawmaker Rezaul Karim Tansen.  On Monday last (December 20), President Hamid held a talk with the main opposition party of the parliament Jatiya Party.