BNP proposal on Nov 18
EC reconstitution
RAFIQUL ISLAM AZAD
The BNP is going to place the partys proposal on the reconstitution of the Election Commission (EC) on November 18, according to a highly placed source. BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will place the proposal at a civil society meeting, to be held at 3:30pm that day in Dhakas Hotel Westin, said the source. Election experts, party think-tank, diplomats, and members of the media will also attend, the source added. A standing committee member of the party, preferring anonymity, also confirmed the plan. He, however, said the partys decision to unveil the proposal had not yet been officially communicated. The leader declined to disclose the recommendations or contents of the proposal before their formal presentation. He said the party had already finalised the document on a new EC in consultation with election experts, the party think-tank, and the party research cell. Senior leaders said the party would place the proposal to reconstitute the EC in a manner acceptable to all through a search committee for the holding of the next elections in a free and fair manner.
The party will also make a number of recommendations to make the EC stronger and amend the Representation of the People Order (RPO) to empower the commission to exercise its authority during polls. The BNP, which had boycotted the January 5, 2014 general elections, decided to prepare such a proposal, as the tenure of the present EC ends in February next year. An expert team has already prepared a draft proposal, which is now being finalised under the supervision of party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, according to party insiders.
The party leaders feel that only some good people in the EC would not be able to hold an acceptable election. It must have the power to exercise its control over polling officers, assistant polling officers, presiding officers, and assistant presiding officers, besides being neutral during voting.
The EC must be reconstituted with acceptable, capable, honest, and sensible persons, who will not give in to any pressure and will follow the law and the Constitution. Peoples verdict will be properly reflected in an election under such a commission, they said.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said the proposal would contain the outlines and procedures of the reconstitution of the EC.
The party will also give some recommendations to form an independent and stronger EC for the holding of an inclusive poll, he said.
The veteran politician said the partys proposal was almost ready. Madam Khaleda Zia will reveal it soon, he added. A senior leader, preferring to anonymity, said the party had fixed November 18 to make the proposal public. He said senior party leaders had been assigned the task of inviting election experts and members of the partys think-tank to attend the meeting, where the party chairperson would make the proposal public.
BNP joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal said they wanted the government to appoint the new EC in consultation with all stakeholders.
He thinks that the proposal may reflect the partys demand to form an acceptable commission to hold an inclusive poll. If necessary, the government may enact a law by amending the Constitution to make the EC stronger and capable of holding a free and fair election, he said. Replying to a question, he said, it would primarily be a conceptual proposal. This time the party will not provide any name for the commission but will do so if the government wants, he added.
