Hossain said that the EC should be given the power to inform the ministries during the election.
Textiles and Jute and Shipping Adviser Br. J. (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat
Textiles and Jute and Shipping Adviser Br. J. (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Textiles and Jute and Shipping Adviser Br. J. (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat
He said these things at the seminar on ‘How to reform the electoral system’ organized by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy at Sirdap auditorium in the capital on Saturday (October 12).
M Sakhawat Hossain said that the report given by the EC should be final in the case of those appointed by the Election Commission. It must work to ensure accountability. The government should not interfere in this matter.
In the event, the head of the election system reform commission. Badiul Alam Majumder said that the entire election process must be correct. An election that does not implement the democratic system is a violation of the Constitution. A fair election is not possible without the support of the government, administration and law enforcement. Election neutral government is important. If the political party does not perform its duties properly, the Election Commission will not be able to conduct fair elections. Media, civil society and other stakeholders have to play their proper role.
Dr. Badiul Alam said that political consensus and change in political culture is necessary for fair and impartial elections. The Electoral Reform Commission will perform its duties with impartiality, integrity, dedication and professionalism. The Electoral Reform Commission does not have jurisdiction to appoint the Election Commission. This decision will be taken by the interim government.
BNP Vice Chairman Asaduzzaman Ripon said that some reforms are necessary so that the people are the owners of the republic. The EC Recruitment Act must be reformed. If there is no contest in any seat, there will be a re-election.
Adviser to BNP Chairperson Advocate Moazzem Hossain Alal said that no court writ can be accepted without taking the EC’s opinion during the election.
Working council members of Jamaat-e-Islami. Shafiqul Islam Masud said that the electoral system has been destroyed. Proportional representation electoral system is required. The supervisory system should be amended and permanently inserted. The three elections under the caretaker government have been relatively acceptable. EVMs should be abolished. Any government employee can participate in elections within three years of leaving service. Why should party symbols or party nominations be given in local government elections? NID management should be brought under Election Commission. National elections should be arranged in multiple days.
Gana Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Noor said that this mass coup was not just to hold an election. He criticized the presence of Jatiya Party representatives in such events. No one from 14 groups can stay. If you want free, fair and impartial elections, you need an impartial administration. The constitution should be abolished and a new constitution should be made. No one should have a problem with proportional elections.
AB Party member secretary Mojibur Rahman Manju said that the candidates try to manage the presiding officer. During the election, who is DC, who is busy with SP.
Jatiya Party presidium member Shamim Haider Patwari said that election reform is the main responsibility of the interim government. Who will be the government during the election is very important. Proportional representative elections should be arranged.
Jonaid Saki, chief coordinator of mass solidarity movement, said that how the commissions will work has not yet been specified. There is no way of peaceful transfer of power in Bangladesh. Political parties are not interested in making elections fair. They want absolute power. At least 3 to 5 elections should be held under the Interim Government. The Election Commission should be created as an independent constitutional institution. There should be provision for no vote. The Representation of the People Ordinance needs to be amended. Besides, the registration of political parties needs to be simplified
Ruhin Hossain Prince, general secretary of CPB, said that reform of election system is not possible without discussion with political parties. Let the interim government do whatever is necessary for fair elections. The rest of the reforms will be done by the elected government. A decision has to be made whether the caretaker government will be permanent or not.
