Islami Front demands cancellation of women quota

The Bangladesh Islami Front has asked the Election Commission (EC) to cancel the 33 per cent quota for women in all the committees of political parties to allow them to do politics independently. “Women are independent citizens and should not be limited to any quota in politics. So, we have proposed allowing women to do politics independently,” MA Matin, secretary general of the Bangladesh Islami Front, said yesterday. “An amendment should be made to the Representation of People Order (RPO) in this regard,” he told reporters after a dialogue with chief election commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda at Election Bhaban in Dhaka. As per the RPO, each political party must have a 33 per cent quota by 2020 to ensure wider participation of women in politics. This target was set in 2008 after amending the law.

Matin said they have made 10 proposals to the EC, including deployment of Army personnel in each election area; holding of all elections under party symbols; putting the home ministry, establishment ministry and local government under the EC; arrangement of open dialogue among candidates in election-bound areas; and holding free, fair and timely polls.

“We want general elections to be held under a partisan government in accordance with the Constitution, and the home and establishment ministries along with the local government should be under the EC’s control,” he added.

Later in the afternoon, EC held another dialogue with Islami Andolon Bangladesh.

Party presidium member Mosaddeq Billah Al Madani said they have placed 15 proposals, including the introduction of electronic voting machines and deployment of Army personnel during general elections.

The party has also recommended holding elections under an interim government after the dissolution of Parliament, online submission of election schedules and ensuring a level playing field during polls.

Islami Front demands cancellation of women quota

The Bangladesh Islami Front has asked the Election Commission (EC) to cancel the 33 per cent quota for women in all the committees of political parties to allow them to do politics independently. Women are independent citizens and should not be limited to any quota in politics. So, we have proposed allowing women to do politics independently, MA Matin, secretary general of the Bangladesh Islami Front, said yesterday. An amendment should be made to the Representation of People Order (RPO) in this regard, he told reporters after a dialogue with chief election commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda at Election Bhaban in Dhaka. As per the RPO, each political party must have a 33 per cent quota by 2020 to ensure wider participation of women in politics. This target was set in 2008 after amending the law. Matin said they have made 10 proposals to the EC, including deployment of Army personnel in each election area; holding of all elections under party symbols; putting the home ministry, establishment ministry and local government under the EC; arrangement of open dialogue among candidates in election-bound areas; and holding free, fair and timely polls. We want general elections to be held under a partisan government in accordance with the Constitution, and the home and establishment ministries along with the local government should be under the ECs control, he added. Later in the afternoon, EC held another dialogue with Islami Andolon Bangladesh. Party presidium member Mosaddeq Billah Al Madani said they have placed 15 proposals, including the introduction of electronic voting machines and deployment of Army personnel during general elections. The party has also recommended holding elections under an interim government after the dissolution of Parliament, online submission of election schedules and ensuring a level playing field during polls.