Desk Report
Published: 11 Jan 2022, 09:47 pm
Photo: BSS
Islamic Front Bangladesh (IFB) today 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 the media 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 all-out
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 the 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.