They will also have to complete elections to their central and grassroots level committees in accordance with their constitutions before applying for registration, and sources of their funds will have to be disclosed.

Intra-party democracy and financial transparency in the parties will be ensured greatly when the electoral reforms are implemented, the EC said explaining the objectives of the reforms.

Talking to reporters at his office yesterday, Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said as per the EC's plan the proposed electoral reforms will be made laws through an ordinance promulgated by the president by July.

"Through laws, we will ask political parties intending to get registered to cut links with professional bodies and student fronts," Sakhawat said.

"We are formulating proposals requiring the political parties to complete elections at all tiers and submit (to EC) lists of elected representatives to their central committees for getting registration."

No political party will be allowed to contest parliamentary election unless it is registered with the EC, and registration may be cancelled if a party violates provisions of the relevant law, says the EC's proposal for reforms.

Once the law is enacted, all political parties including Awami League (AL), BNP and Jatiya Party will have to hold intra-party elections duly, and they will also lose control over their affiliated organisations which help implement party programmes.

Amending the party constitution, the AL will have to cut links with at least six organisations affiliated to it -- Krishak League, Jatiya Sramik League, Chhattra League, Awami Ainjibi Parishad, Tanti (weavers) League and Swadhinata Chikitshok Parishad.

As per the party constitution, the AL working commiittee determines the policies of affiliated organisations. The party secretaries concerned supervise and coordinate the programmes of these bodies, and they are accountable to the working committee through the secretaries.

Similarly, BNP will have to amend its constitution to de-link itself with at least five affiliated organisations -- Jatiyabadi Chhatra Dal, Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal, Jatiyatabadi Matshojibi Dal and Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal.

The party constitution fully empowers the party chief to consider any organisation as an affiliate of the party. The main objective of the affiliated bodies is to help carry out party programmes.

Jatiya Party (Ershad) will have to amend its constitution to cut links with at least six organisations. These are Jatiya Krishak Party, Jatiya Sramik Party, Jatiya Ainjibi Federation, Jatiya Chhattra Samaj, Jatiya Matsajibi Party and Jatiya Tanti (weavers) Party.

Sakhawat said the EC will finalise its reform proposals in consultation with the political parties. "We will not impose anything on them. We are working for the voters and the people."

In reply to a question, the election commissioner said the EC will invite political parties for dialogue when embargo on indoor politics is lifted. "We want the government to lift the embargo soon."

"I am not a constitutional expert, " he replied when asked if the government is violating constitutional provisions by not responding to the chief election commissioner's April 4 proposal for withdrawing the ban on indoor politics allowing the EC to hold talks with political parties.

Article 126 of the constitution says it shall be the duty of all executive authorities to assist the EC in the discharge of its functions.