EC’s upcoming dialogues with AL, BNP

AL to want army as striking force, EVMs in next polls

The Awami League (AL) will place a set of proposals, including deployment of the Army as a strike force and the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the next general election, during its talks with the Election Commission (EC), party insiders said. The party will also propose to the EC that the next polls, slated for 2019, should be held in line with the Constitution. Party leaders feel there is no need to deploy the Army during polling, but the EC can use the Army as a striking force. They said if EVMs are introduced, no one will be able to raise allegations of rigging or snatching of ballot boxes.

Commission sources said the EC would hold talks with three mainstream political parties—the AL, BNP and the Jatiya Party—in October. It would sit for talks with the Ershad-led Jatiya Party on October 9, the BNP on October 15 and the AL on October 18.

The AL will also tell the EC to play a neutral role during the next elections. The EC should not be biased in favour of the ruling party during the election hours. Besides, it would suggest

that the EC should not give the BNP more priority than other political parties, insiders said.

Talking to this correspondent recently, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said it was entirely up to the EC to deploy the Army in the next polls. “But we will suggest that the EC should use the Army as a striking force,” he also said, adding that the EC may deploy the Army wherever needed.

About the use of EVMs, Quader said they would urge the EC to use them in the next general election. “The EVM is a modern system, and there cannot be any mistake if the technology is used,” he added.

When contacted, Md Rashidul Alam, AL parliamentary board member who also works with the Election Steering Committee of the party, told The Independent yesterday (Friday) that they would propose holding of the elections in a free, fair and credible manner. “Although it is up to the EC to introduce EVMs, we will propose that it be used in the next polls to avoid any controversy,” he said.

When contacted, AL presidium member Lt. Col (retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan said: “We will put forward our proposals, but it is up to the EC to decide. We will not force the EC to do anything in favour of the AL.”

Replying to a question on keeping the “no-voting” option in the next polls, Faruk said the party is yet to decide on the issue.

Reazul Kabir Kawsar, AL central committee member who also works with the AL Election Steering Committee, said the party would submit its old proposal of holding the next general election in a free, fair and impartial manner. He also said the party would propose to the EC that war criminals should be barred from contesting the polls and no political party based on religion should get registration.

The EC initiated dialogue with 40 registered political parties on August 24, to take their opinion on its preparation for the next national election. The commission invited parties from the bottom of the list in line with the sequence of registration. It has held talks with 18 political parties so far.

ECs upcoming dialogues with AL, BNP

AL to want army as striking force, EVMs in next polls

The Awami League (AL) will place a set of proposals, including deployment of the Army as a strike force and the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the next general election, during its talks with the Election Commission (EC), party insiders said. The party will also propose to the EC that the next polls, slated for 2019, should be held in line with the Constitution. Party leaders feel there is no need to deploy the Army during polling, but the EC can use the Army as a striking force. They said if EVMs are introduced, no one will be able to raise allegations of rigging or snatching of ballot boxes. Commission sources said the EC would hold talks with three mainstream political partiesthe AL, BNP and the Jatiya Partyin October. It would sit for talks with the Ershad-led Jatiya Party on October 9, the BNP on October 15 and the AL on October 18. The AL will also tell the EC to play a neutral role during the next elections. The EC should not be biased in favour of the ruling party during the election hours. Besides, it would suggest that the EC should not give the BNP more priority than other political parties, insiders said. Talking to this correspondent recently, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said it was entirely up to the EC to deploy the Army in the next polls. But we will suggest that the EC should use the Army as a striking force, he also said, adding that the EC may deploy the Army wherever needed. About the use of EVMs, Quader said they would urge the EC to use them in the next general election. The EVM is a modern system, and there cannot be any mistake if the technology is used, he added. When contacted, Md Rashidul Alam, AL parliamentary board member who also works with the Election Steering Committee of the party, told The Independent yesterday (Friday) that they would propose holding of the elections in a free, fair and credible manner. Although it is up to the EC to introduce EVMs, we will propose that it be used in the next polls to avoid any controversy, he said. When contacted, AL presidium member Lt. Col (retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan said: We will put forward our proposals, but it is up to the EC to decide. We will not force the EC to do anything in favour of the AL. Replying to a question on keeping the no-voting option in the next polls, Faruk said the party is yet to decide on the issue. Reazul Kabir Kawsar, AL central committee member who also works with the AL Election Steering Committee, said the party would submit its old proposal of holding the next general election in a free, fair and impartial manner. He also said the party would propose to the EC that war criminals should be barred from contesting the polls and no political party based on religion should get registration. The EC initiated dialogue with 40 registered political parties on August 24, to take their opinion on its preparation for the next national election. The commission invited parties from the bottom of the list in line with the sequence of registration. It has held talks with 18 political parties so far.