Ec Reconstitution: BNP to take its proposals to president today

The BNP will today send to the president its proposals for reconstituting the Election Commission and amending the Representation of the People Order (RPO).

BNP Vice-Chairman Ruhul Alam Chowdhury and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi would go to the Bangabhaban at 11:00am to submit the copies of the proposals, Syrul Kabir Khan, an official of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's media wing, told The Daily Star last night.

They would submit the proposals to the Bangabhaban officials as they were yet to get appointment with President Abdul Hamid.

The BNP hopes to get the president's appointment soon, party sources said.

At a press conference on November 18, Khaleda placed a 13-point proposal for reconstitution of the EC on the basis of consensus among the political parties.

The BNP chief proposed bringing some amendments to the RPO and reinstatement of the clause that defines “the Defence Services of Bangladesh” as “a law enforcement agency” along with other forces.

She also focused on strengthening the EC, and stressed the need for vesting magisterial power in EC officials, appointing election observers, delimitating constituencies and updating the voter list.

At a press conference on November 21, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party sought appointment of the president.

The tenure of the current EC expires in February next year.