Multiparty democracy restored by Zia, reiterates CEC

The chief election commissioner (CEC), KM Nurul Huda, said yesterday that he stands by his remark that multiparty democracy was restored by the late president, Ziaur Rahman, founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He said this is based on facts and he did not say such a thing to please the BNP. “I stand by what I said because it is based on facts. There was absence of democracy in the country from 1975 to 1977. Democracy was there before 1975. Restoration means establishing something that was there before. There was multiparty democracy before 1975 and it was restored by Zia. In the multiparty democracy, all parties, including the Awami League, participated,” he explained.

Asked who killed democracy, Nurul Huda said: “No, it’s not killing. Democracy did not exist from 1975 to 1977." The CEC was addressing a press conference to brief reporters about the three-month-long dialogue with 45 organisations, including civil society, journalists, political parties, women leaders and election experts, at Election Bhaban in the capital.

He said the Election Commission (EC) has obtained over 400 proposals and suggestions from different stakeholders. There are many common proposals and some are different. The commission will compile the suggestions by November and publish them in a single book by December.

Nurul Huda also said the suggestions can be placed under three categories—constitutional, legal and some that fall under the EC’s jurisdiction. “We will implement proposals that are possible and fall under the EC’s jurisdiction. But constitutional issues, such as election-time supportive government and dissolution of Parliament, will be sent to the government, wjile legal issues, such as delimitation, would be sent to Parliament for being considered,” he added.

Asked how can fair elections be held under a partisan government and with government officials conducting polls, the CEC said: “The EC has control over poll officials at the grassroots level. As per Article 126, the EC has power over the executive and the judiciary in some areas. We will exercise this power to punish persons indulging in irregularities during elections.” In reply to another query, Nurul Huda said: “Holding of fair polls is possible if the existing laws are applied. The EC has decided to do that. There is no scope to go beyond the laws.”  

About Army deployment, the CEC said: “The EC will decide what would be the function of the Army. The time has not yet come. It would depend on the election environment and the situation on the ground.” Replying to a query, he said the environment of trust has returned through the dialogue. Asked about the election-time government, Nurul Huda said: “The EC has no role here. Elections are held as per the laws made by the government.”

In reply to a query, he said: “We will not send any proposals to the government which the EC can carry out on its own.” “There is no pressure from the government on the EC so far. If pressure comes, we will not succumb to it,” he added.

Regarding the proposal of some political parties that 33 per cent representation of women in political parties be cancelled, the CEC said: “Any party can place its proposal.”

Multiparty democracy restored by Zia, reiterates CEC

The chief election commissioner (CEC), KM Nurul Huda, said yesterday that he stands by his remark that multiparty democracy was restored by the late president, Ziaur Rahman, founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He said this is based on facts and he did not say such a thing to please the BNP. I stand by what I said because it is based on facts. There was absence of democracy in the country from 1975 to 1977. Democracy was there before 1975. Restoration means establishing something that was there before. There was multiparty democracy before 1975 and it was restored by Zia. In the multiparty democracy, all parties, including the Awami League, participated, he explained. Asked who killed democracy, Nurul Huda said: No, its not killing. Democracy did not exist from 1975 to 1977. The CEC was addressing a press conference to brief reporters about the three-month-long dialogue with 45 organisations, including civil society, journalists, political parties, women leaders and election experts, at Election Bhaban in the capital. He said the Election Commission (EC) has obtained over 400 proposals and suggestions from different stakeholders. There are many common proposals and some are different. The commission will compile the suggestions by November and publish them in a single book by December. Nurul Huda also said the suggestions can be placed under three categoriesconstitutional, legal and some that fall under the ECs jurisdiction. We will implement proposals that are possible and fall under the ECs jurisdiction. But constitutional issues, such as election-time supportive government and dissolution of Parliament, will be sent to the government, wjile legal issues, such as delimitation, would be sent to Parliament for being considered, he added. Asked how can fair elections be held under a partisan government and with government officials conducting polls, the CEC said: The EC has control over poll officials at the grassroots level. As per Article 126, the EC has power over the executive and the judiciary in some areas. We will exercise this power to punish persons indulging in irregularities during elections. In reply to another query, Nurul Huda said: Holding of fair polls is possible if the existing laws are applied. The EC has decided to do that. There is no scope to go beyond the laws. About Army deployment, the CEC said: The EC will decide what would be the function of the Army. The time has not yet come. It would depend on the election environment and the situation on the ground. Replying to a query, he said the environment of trust has returned through the dialogue. Asked about the election-time government, Nurul Huda said: The EC has no role here. Elections are held as per the laws made by the government. In reply to a query, he said: We will not send any proposals to the government which the EC can carry out on its own. There is no pressure from the government on the EC so far. If pressure comes, we will not succumb to it, he added. Regarding the proposal of some political parties that 33 per cent representation of women in political parties be cancelled, the CEC said: Any party can place its proposal.