BNPs push for EC consensus raises hope
Apparently,
BNP now is keen to play a key
role in national politics by
shifting from its past unyielding political stance
BNP urged the countrys president to constitute an Election Commission (EC) on the basis of a consensus among all political parties the day before yesterday. During an hour-long meeting with the president at Bangabhaban, the 11-member delegation of the party, also proposed to form a five-member search committee, led by a former chief justice, to form the next EC. Such pro-active participation from the countrys prominent opposition party was long awaited. Apparently, the party is keen to play a key role in national politics by shifting from its past unyielding political stance. We welcome BNPs responsible political endeavour.
According to observers BNPs focal point has been on developing consensus among all political parties aiming at constituting the Election Commission (EC). In order to materialise the proposal, the president would now have to continue a discussion with all the mainstream political parties until a consensus is forged. Once there is a consensus, the president would then move for a second agreement among the parties to form a five-member search committee. The committee would pick the chief election commissioner and four commissioners while the sequence of his actions would then continue further till it comes to existence.
Against the setting of BNPs plea, it, however, begs two key questions: How long will it take to complete the entire process? And is it actually possible to have this kind of a consensus among the political parties? Our expectation is simple: the president jointly with all other political parties would leave no stone unturned to form a credible and trustworthy EC.
Not to mention that in Bangladesh, a neutral election-time government is a must for helping the EC hold a free, fair and acceptable general election. Moreover, given mounting distrust and disagreements among the parties regarding poll results, the country badly misses the presence of an independent and powerful EC. Concerning wider political acceptance, the consensus will likely to contribute hugely to form an up to standard EC and thats why active participation of all political parties - that had representation in parliament at different times since the countrys independence is so immensely important. An Election Commission which is supposed to be all powerful during polls usually becomes a hostage to compromise and political expediency.
Whether or not BNPs proposal is accepted by all concerned, this consultation with the president would hopefully bring welcome relief from the politics of attrition.
