Polls-time govt, search committee led by Hasina

GBNEWS24DESK//

Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF) yesterday placed a three-point proposal, including formation of the Election Commission (EC) through a search committee and an election-time government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

They placed the proposal while holding a dialogue with President Abdul Hamid over formation of the next EC.

Meanwhile, Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ) while holding another dialogue with the president, placed a four-point proposal, including enacting a law in line with the constitution on formation of an independent, neutral and acceptable EC.

Welcoming the delegation to Bangabhaban, the president said the opinions of political parties are crucial for formation of an acceptable EC, said a press release issued by Bangabhaban Press Wing.

He said democracy should not be limited to only elections; it should also be spread through continuous practice.

“It’s necessary to evaluate the sacrifices of leaders and workers, and principles and ideals of the

party, without giving priority to financial issues in politics in the interest of democracy,” said the president during the discussion.

Hamid called upon political parties to take initiatives to motivate people in this regard.

BANGLADESH NATIONALIST FRONT

A seven-member delegation, led by BNF President SM Abul Kalam Azad, took part in the dialogue around 4:00pm.

During the dialogue, the BNF leaders proposed forming an election-time government led by the incumbent prime minister in line with  Article 56 of the constitution.

BNF also said the PM will be able to form an election time cabinet comprising  the pro-liberation forces.

They proposed to form an EC with the help of a “search committee”, and not more than five people should be appointed in the committee.

BNF proposed that the president form the five-member search committee comprising two noted professors, one former election commissioner, a former army official and former inspector general of police.

ISLAMI OIKYA JOTE

A seven-member delegation of IOJ, led by Abul Hasanat Amini, held the discussions at 6:00pm.

They placed a four-point proposal to the president during the meeting.

The proposals included enacting a permanent law for forming the EC, and involving politically non-biased, acceptable, dependable and faithful individuals.

The head of the state opened a talk with Jatiya Party, the main opposition party in the Jatiya Sangsad, on December 20.

As of yesterday, talks with some seven political parties were held, according to Bangabhaban.

According to its press wing, the other parties invited for the dialogue are Gonoforum and Bikalpo Dhara on January 2, Ganotantri Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon on January 3, and Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal and Islami Andolon Bangladesh on January 4.

However, no date has been set for talks with other political parties.

There are 39 registered political parties in Bangladesh, according to the EC website, and only nine of them have representation in parliament.

The current EC’s five-year term will expire on February 14 next year. The president will form a new commission, under which the 12th parliamentary elections will be held.