Muktijote suggests nat’l council to avoid EC’s arbitrary laws

Leaders of the Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote have suggested that a national council should be formed that would see to it that the Election Commission (EC) does not unilaterally formulate any law on political parties and elections. “We have proposed that a national council should be formed. The heads of registered political parties should be its members and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) its convenor. It should be approved by the President,” said Aminur Rahman, chief executive of the Muktijote.

He was talking to journalists after holding a dialogue with the EC, led by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Nurul Huda, at Election Bhaban in the capital yesterday (Thursday).

The EC had invited 12 representatives of the Muktijote with a view to seeking their suggestions for the next parliamentary polls.

“There is need to have a national council because when the EC formulates a law unilaterally, the political parties have to abide by it. The proposed council will ensure that such a situation does not arise,” Aminur Rahman said.

The Muktijote also proposed that each citizen would be a voter in his/her permanent address. This would ensure social safety. Regarding e-voting, it said that the groundwork should be done before the system is put into practice. People should be made aware about e-voting. Aminur Rahman said: “A general election is not the time for experiments.

If there is a plan to introduce e-voting, it should be done during local government elections to prepare the people.”

The party proposed that expatriates be allowed to vote, as they are contributing to the country’s economic development. “Voting can be held in Bangladesh’s embassies abroad,” he added.

About army deployment, he said they would accept whatever decision the Commission takes to hold the elections peacefully.

They suggested that the Home Ministry and the Establishment Ministry should be brought under the EC during elections.

He said the Muktijote is capable of taking part in the next parliamentary polls.

The EC secretary, Helaluddin Ahmed, briefed journalists about the dialogue with the Muktijote.

He said the Muktijote thanked the Commission for holding talks with political parties, as it would bring the two sides closer and remove misconceptions, if any.

To a query whether it would provide time to the Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF) as it did not take part in the talks, he said the Commission has a meeting on August 27 and a decision would be taken on that day.

The EC met civil society members on July 31, and representatives of the print and electronic media on August 16 and 17 as part of its election roadmap.

 

Muktijote suggests natl council to avoid ECs arbitrary laws

Leaders of the Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote have suggested that a national council should be formed that would see to it that the Election Commission (EC) does not unilaterally formulate any law on political parties and elections. We have proposed that a national council should be formed. The heads of registered political parties should be its members and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) its convenor. It should be approved by the President, said Aminur Rahman, chief executive of the Muktijote. He was talking to journalists after holding a dialogue with the EC, led by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Nurul Huda, at Election Bhaban in the capital yesterday (Thursday). The EC had invited 12 representatives of the Muktijote with a view to seeking their suggestions for the next parliamentary polls. There is need to have a national council because when the EC formulates a law unilaterally, the political parties have to abide by it. The proposed council will ensure that such a situation does not arise, Aminur Rahman said. The Muktijote also proposed that each citizen would be a voter in his/her permanent address. This would ensure social safety. Regarding e-voting, it said that the groundwork should be done before the system is put into practice. People should be made aware about e-voting. Aminur Rahman said: A general election is not the time for experiments. If there is a plan to introduce e-voting, it should be done during local government elections to prepare the people. The party proposed that expatriates be allowed to vote, as they are contributing to the countrys economic development. Voting can be held in Bangladeshs embassies abroad, he added. About army deployment, he said they would accept whatever decision the Commission takes to hold the elections peacefully. They suggested that the Home Ministry and the Establishment Ministry should be brought under the EC during elections. He said the Muktijote is capable of taking part in the next parliamentary polls. The EC secretary, Helaluddin Ahmed, briefed journalists about the dialogue with the Muktijote. He said the Muktijote thanked the Commission for holding talks with political parties, as it would bring the two sides closer and remove misconceptions, if any. To a query whether it would provide time to the Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF) as it did not take part in the talks, he said the Commission has a meeting on August 27 and a decision would be taken on that day. The EC met civil society members on July 31, and representatives of the print and electronic media on August 16 and 17 as part of its election roadmap.