EC reconstitution

President-AL talks today

Hasina to lead party

All eyes are set on the appointment of the chief election commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners, with the tenure of the current Election Commission (EC) ending next month. President Abdul Hamid has already held talks with 22 registered political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), over the formation of a new Election Commission to oversee the next parliamentary elections scheduled in 2019.
The President had initiated the dialogue over the formation of the EC on December 18 last year by inviting the BNP to the talks. When
contacted, Joynal Abedin, press secretary to the President, said altogether 23 political parties had been invited for discussions. He also hinted that the dialogue on the issue might end with a meeting between the President and an AL delegation. This meeting is scheduled to be held at Bangabhaban at 4pm today.
He also said the ruling party had named a 19-member delegation, led by party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to discuss the formation of a new commission with the President.
The ruling AL has finalised a set of proposals and recommendations, prepared by a 10-member body, to be placed before the President.
The body, which includes the party’s advisers, was formed at the AL’s central working committee (ALCWC) meeting, held at Sheikh Hasina’s official residence last week.
The body comprises HT Imam, Abdul Matin Khashru, Shafique Ahmed, Abdul Baset Majumder, Mohammad Zamir, Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Rashedul Alam and the party’s joint general secretary Dipu Moni, presidium members Abdur Razzak and Abdul Mannan Khan, and law affairs secretary Abdul Matin Khasru.
Party insiders said the AL was likely to propose the enactment of a law for the appointment of the CEC and other commissioners in line with the Constitution during the talks with the President.
AL law affairs secretary Abdul Matin Khasru told this correspondent: “The party is likely to recommend to the President that a law be enacted, as per Article 118 of the Constitution, for appointing the chief election commissioner and other commissioners.”
Though the party may recommend a law for the EC’s formation, the President could follow the existing system, party sources said.
When contacted, AL joint general secretary Dipu Moni yesterday said, “I can’t say anything about the proposals on the formation of the EC as our leader (Sheikh Hasina) has directed us not to disclose the elements of the proposals that will be placed before the President today.”
Meanwhile, most of the political parties, barring the BNP, have recommended to the President the enactment of a specific law relating to EC formation.

EC reconstitution

President-AL talks today

Hasina to lead party

All eyes are set on the appointment of the chief election commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners, with the tenure of the current Election Commission (EC) ending next month. President Abdul Hamid has already held talks with 22 registered political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), over the formation of a new Election Commission to oversee the next parliamentary elections scheduled in 2019. The President had initiated the dialogue over the formation of the EC on December 18 last year by inviting the BNP to the talks. When contacted, Joynal Abedin, press secretary to the President, said altogether 23 political parties had been invited for discussions. He also hinted that the dialogue on the issue might end with a meeting between the President and an AL delegation. This meeting is scheduled to be held at Bangabhaban at 4pm today. He also said the ruling party had named a 19-member delegation, led by party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to discuss the formation of a new commission with the President. The ruling AL has finalised a set of proposals and recommendations, prepared by a 10-member body, to be placed before the President. The body, which includes the partys advisers, was formed at the ALs central working committee (ALCWC) meeting, held at Sheikh Hasinas official residence last week. The body comprises HT Imam, Abdul Matin Khashru, Shafique Ahmed, Abdul Baset Majumder, Mohammad Zamir, Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Rashedul Alam and the partys joint general secretary Dipu Moni, presidium members Abdur Razzak and Abdul Mannan Khan, and law affairs secretary Abdul Matin Khasru. Party insiders said the AL was likely to propose the enactment of a law for the appointment of the CEC and other commissioners in line with the Constitution during the talks with the President. AL law affairs secretary Abdul Matin Khasru told this correspondent: The party is likely to recommend to the President that a law be enacted, as per Article 118 of the Constitution, for appointing the chief election commissioner and other commissioners. Though the party may recommend a law for the ECs formation, the President could follow the existing system, party sources said. When contacted, AL joint general secretary Dipu Moni yesterday said, I cant say anything about the proposals on the formation of the EC as our leader (Sheikh Hasina) has directed us not to disclose the elements of the proposals that will be placed before the President today. Meanwhile, most of the political parties, barring the BNP, have recommended to the President the enactment of a specific law relating to EC formation.