Dialogue with EC

AL wants EVMs in next polls

CEC all praise for Bangabandhu, Hasina

Ruling Awami League (AL) yesterday placed 11-point proposals before the Election Commission (EC) which include introduction of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in the next parliamentary polls.

The party also demanded deployment of law enforcement agencies at every constitutional area after the declaration of polls schedule, saying the situation which deserves army deployment is mentioned in the CrPC and Army Rules under the heading “In aid to civil power”.

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader placed the proposals at a dialogue with the Election Commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda at the Election Bhaban in the capital.

Other proposals of the party include supporting initiatives to make the Representation of the People Order 1972 in Bangla, exercising existing rules and regulations for resisting illegal money and muscle power during polls, selection of candidates based on the opinion of grassroots level leaders and workers, no delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, taking legal action against electoral personnel for negligence of duty, transparency of local and international election observers. The party also proposed responsible covering of news by the print and electronic media by following proper rules and regulations, and the area of beat should also be mentioned in cards provided to reporters.

After the dialogue that lasted for nearly two hours and 15 minutes, Obaidul Quader said, “We proposed to introduce EVMs for ensuring the rights of franchise of all people like in the modern and democratic countries to hold the next election in a credible manner.”

Regarding Army deployment, he said the matter is mentioned in Section 129-131 of the CrPC and Army Rules under the heading “In aid to civil power”.

Some political parties’ suggestions to deploy armed forces along with law enforcement agencies are conflicting with the constitution and country’s existing laws, he added.

Quader said: “The EC has told us that the proposals we have presented will help in holding participatory polls.”

The other members of the AL delegation were Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Begum Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Mohammad Nasim, HT Imam, Dr Mashiur Rahman, Dr Abdur Razzak, Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan, Ramesh Chandra Sen, Mohammad Jamir, Rashidul Alam, Mahabub-ul-Alam Hanif, Dr Dipu Moni, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Abdur Rahman, HN Ashiqur Rahman, Dr Hasan Mahmud, Abdus Sobhan Golap and Advocate ABM Riazul Kabir Kawsar.

Earlier in the beginning of the dialogue, the chief election commissioner (CEC), KM Nurul Huda, has lauded the Awami League (AL), saying the credit for all achievements goes to the ruling party and the nation is now firmly on the road to development.

Describing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the “best Bangali” of all ages, the CEC said: “Bangladesh has become a middle-income country due to the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Internationally, she is now considered a mother figure because of her diplomatic achievement regarding the Rohingya crisis.”

On Sunday, the CEC had praised the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), saying the late president Ziaur Rahman had restored multiparty democracy in the country and the party did a lot of development work during its tenure.

This created uproar in the political arena and there were reactions from the ruling party. Bangabir Kader Siddiqui, chairman of the Bangladesh Krishok Sramik Janata League, strongly condemned the statement.

After yesterday’s dialogue, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader was asked about the CEC’s remarks on Ziaur Rahman. He said they have got an explanation from the EC, but he does not want to say anything about it.

“We have got the explanation. I don’t want to say it. If the commission wants to give an explanation, it can do so. The CEC, other commissioners and the secretary were positive. The discussion was fruitful,” he added.

The CEC said the EC is enjoying more freedom compared to other countries and the AL has made it possible.

The CEC also highlighted the contribution of the AL to the Language Movement in 1952, six-point movement in 1966, mass upsurge in 1967, student movement and so on.

“Hearing the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu, people became united under the leadership of the AL and freed the country,” he said.

Besides, Bangabandhu, after his homecoming on January 10, 1972, shouldered the responsibility of reconstructing the war-ravaged country, the CEC noted.

“Bangabandhu presented a Constitution to the country within nine months. He achieved the support and patronisation of many countries for his diplomatic achievement,” he added.

He said Bangladesh recorded economic surplus during 1974, but a black chapter was opened by the killing of Bangabandhu and members of his family on August 15, 1975.

The AL had to pass a hard time after the assassination of Bangabandhu, he said, adding that four national leaders were also killed. But Sheikh Hasina returned in 1981 and gradually strengthened the party despite all odds.

The CEC said: “The AL has put the country on the highway of development in every sector, including education, social and economic, infrastructure, expansion of science and technology, environment preservation. The world crown is now on the head of the Prime Minister.”

He also said: “I have learnt a lot and got inspiration from those who are present here today. I have worked with many persons who are here today.

While carrying out our responsibility,

we can take your assistance and suggestions on how to work. Today’s dialogue is to get the assistance for holding acceptable polls.”

Dialogue with EC

AL wants EVMs in next polls

CEC all praise for Bangabandhu, Hasina

Ruling Awami League (AL) yesterday placed 11-point proposals before the Election Commission (EC) which include introduction of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in the next parliamentary polls. The party also demanded deployment of law enforcement agencies at every constitutional area after the declaration of polls schedule, saying the situation which deserves army deployment is mentioned in the CrPC and Army Rules under the heading In aid to civil power. AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader placed the proposals at a dialogue with the Election Commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda at the Election Bhaban in the capital. Other proposals of the party include supporting initiatives to make the Representation of the People Order 1972 in Bangla, exercising existing rules and regulations for resisting illegal money and muscle power during polls, selection of candidates based on the opinion of grassroots level leaders and workers, no delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, taking legal action against electoral personnel for negligence of duty, transparency of local and international election observers. The party also proposed responsible covering of news by the print and electronic media by following proper rules and regulations, and the area of beat should also be mentioned in cards provided to reporters. After the dialogue that lasted for nearly two hours and 15 minutes, Obaidul Quader said, We proposed to introduce EVMs for ensuring the rights of franchise of all people like in the modern and democratic countries to hold the next election in a credible manner. Regarding Army deployment, he said the matter is mentioned in Section 129-131 of the CrPC and Army Rules under the heading In aid to civil power. Some political parties suggestions to deploy armed forces along with law enforcement agencies are conflicting with the constitution and countrys existing laws, he added. Quader said: The EC has told us that the proposals we have presented will help in holding participatory polls. The other members of the AL delegation were Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Begum Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Mohammad Nasim, HT Imam, Dr Mashiur Rahman, Dr Abdur Razzak, Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan, Ramesh Chandra Sen, Mohammad Jamir, Rashidul Alam, Mahabub-ul-Alam Hanif, Dr Dipu Moni, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Abdur Rahman, HN Ashiqur Rahman, Dr Hasan Mahmud, Abdus Sobhan Golap and Advocate ABM Riazul Kabir Kawsar. Earlier in the beginning of the dialogue, the chief election commissioner (CEC), KM Nurul Huda, has lauded the Awami League (AL), saying the credit for all achievements goes to the ruling party and the nation is now firmly on the road to development. Describing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the best Bangali of all ages, the CEC said: Bangladesh has become a middle-income country due to the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Internationally, she is now considered a mother figure because of her diplomatic achievement regarding the Rohingya crisis. On Sunday, the CEC had praised the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), saying the late president Ziaur Rahman had restored multiparty democracy in the country and the party did a lot of development work during its tenure. This created uproar in the political arena and there were reactions from the ruling party. Bangabir Kader Siddiqui, chairman of the Bangladesh Krishok Sramik Janata League, strongly condemned the statement. After yesterdays dialogue, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader was asked about the CECs remarks on Ziaur Rahman. He said they have got an explanation from the EC, but he does not want to say anything about it. We have got the explanation. I dont want to say it. If the commission wants to give an explanation, it can do so. The CEC, other commissioners and the secretary were positive. The discussion was fruitful, he added. The CEC said the EC is enjoying more freedom compared to other countries and the AL has made it possible. The CEC also highlighted the contribution of the AL to the Language Movement in 1952, six-point movement in 1966, mass upsurge in 1967, student movement and so on. Hearing the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu, people became united under the leadership of the AL and freed the country, he said. Besides, Bangabandhu, after his homecoming on January 10, 1972, shouldered the responsibility of reconstructing the war-ravaged country, the CEC noted. Bangabandhu presented a Constitution to the country within nine months. He achieved the support and patronisation of many countries for his diplomatic achievement, he added. He said Bangladesh recorded economic surplus during 1974, but a black chapter was opened by the killing of Bangabandhu and members of his family on August 15, 1975. The AL had to pass a hard time after the assassination of Bangabandhu, he said, adding that four national leaders were also killed. But Sheikh Hasina returned in 1981 and gradually strengthened the party despite all odds. The CEC said: The AL has put the country on the highway of development in every sector, including education, social and economic, infrastructure, expansion of science and technology, environment preservation. The world crown is now on the head of the Prime Minister. He also said: I have learnt a lot and got inspiration from those who are present here today. I have worked with many persons who are here today. While carrying out our responsibility, we can take your assistance and suggestions on how to work. Todays dialogue is to get the assistance for holding acceptable polls.