Bangladesh Kallyan Party yesterday recommended dissolving Parliament before the next general election and holding the polls under a “supportive government” to ensure a level playing field for all. The Kallyan Party placed the proposals at a dialogue with chief clection commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda.

Speaking to reporters after the talks at Election Bhaban in the capital, party chairman Maj. Gen. (retd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim said: “We have placed four major proposals before the Election Commission (EC). These include capacity building of the EC, holding of polls under a supportive government or whatever name it may have, dissolution of Parliament, and Army deployment.”

Quoting Article 66 of the Constitution, Ibrahim said no person can contest in parliamentary elections while holding an office of profit in the service of the country.

“If an MP holds the office and contests in the election, it is a direct violation of the Constitution. The EC has appreciated our proposal on this and said it would give it due consideration,” he added.

The Kallyan Party chief said that their secretary general, MM Aminur Rahman, has remained untraced since his abduction on August 27.

“We're anxious over such disappearances. Such incidents are detrimental to a level playing field. The right environment has to be created for free and fair polls. Therefore, the Army must be deployed at least 15 days before the election,” he said.

“We've talked about a supportive government during elections. Such a government should be non-political, non-partisan and impartial. For this to happen, the existing legal framework can be amended though mutual understanding or a new framework can be created,” Ibrahim added.

“The EC itself is a stakeholder. If elections go wrong, the responsibility falls on it. Parliament can make arrangement to ensure that the EC can hold better elections,” he said.

The Kallyan Party also proposed voting rights for expatriate Bangladeshis, ensuring security for religious minorities, and proper delimitation of constituencies and alliance elections.

Later in the day, the CEC held another dialogue with Islamic Front Bangladesh that placed 12-point proposals, including the introduction of the no-vote option and electronic voting machines as well as the arrangement so that expatriate Bangladeshis can cast their votes.

Islamic Front Bangladesh chairman Syed Bahadur Shah Mozaddedi said the EC has sufficient power to hold a free, fair and credible election. “However, there is doubt over the holding of fair elections under the incumbent government. It’s the main cause for suspicion and distrust,” he added.