"We could have discussed draft proposals for electoral reforms with the political parties had the embargo on indoor politics been lifted. We are waiting for holding talks with the political parties," Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain told reporters yesterday.

"Had the discussions with the political parties been held, many proposals for electoral reforms could be raised," he said.

LGRD and Cooperatives Adviser Anwarul Iqbal yesterday told reporters that the embargo on indoor politics will be lifted when the EC asks for it while Law Adviser Mainul Hosein emphasised creation of the government's confidence in the political parties before the embargo is lifted.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda on April 4 at a meeting with the law adviser sought assistance of the government to hold dialogue with the political parties on electoral reforms and asked the government to lift the embargo on indoor politics.

But during the last one and a half months, the government did not respond to the CEC's proposal for lifting the embargo on indoor politics.

Article 58 (D) (2) of the Constitution categorically says that the non-party caretaker government shall give to the EC all possible aid and assistance that may be required for holding the general election of members of parliament peacefully, fairly and impartially.

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.

Asked whether the EC will again ask the government to lift the embargo on indoor politics allowing it to hold talks with the political parties, the election commissioner said, "We have already asked for it. There is no need to say it again."

"We are seriously thinking of permitting the political parties to start indoor politics," the law adviser told the reporters yesterday.

In fact the indoor politics is going on except in the political party offices, he said, adding that the government's confidence in the political parties is to be created before lifting of the embargo on indoor politics.

"We always have to keep in mind people's security and law and order situation", he said.

"During the initial days [after the declaration of state of emergency] political parties were given this opportunity but they failed to keep the trust with which they were allowed to do indoor politics," he said.

On April 5, the EC formally unveiled a set of draft proposals for electoral reforms and said the proposals would be finalised after holding consultations with the political parties. It had also planned to open a series of dialogues with the political parties but could not proceed with the plan due to the embargo on indoor politics.

The major political parties also cannot initiate measures to bring reforms within the parties due to the embargo on indoor politics.

The EC held talks with eminent personalities on April 6 and on May 19 with editors of different national dailies and senior journalists on electoral reforms for holding the stalled ninth parliamentary election in a free and fair manner.