Deploy army in nat'l polls

Bangladesh Islami Front and Islami Andolan Bangladesh yesterday recommended that the Election Commission (EC) deploy army during the next parliamentary polls to make it acceptable to all.

In two separate meetings with the EC, they also urged the commission to ensure a level-playing field for all political parties to hold the upcoming 11th parliamentary polls in a free, fair and participatory manner.

In the morning, a 12-member delegation of Bangladesh Islami Front held a meeting with the EC with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda in the chair.

Emerging from the meeting, the party's Secretary General MA Matin told journalists that they placed a 10-point proposal before the commission including deployment of army, and bringing home, public administration and local government ministries under the EC during the polls.

The party also urged the commission to withdraw the latter's proposal for ensuring 33 percent women's representation in all committees of the political parties by 2020, he said.

Later in the afternoon, an 11-member delegation of Islami Andolan Bangladesh joined talks with the EC where the party proposed bringing necessary amendment to the electoral laws to make the election commission accountable.

It also demanded deployment of army day before the election in every polling station, said Syed Md Younus Ahmad, presidium member of the party.

The party wants the dissolution of parliament before election so that no one can contest election remaining as lawmaker. It suggested 15-point demand that included initiating online nomination paper submission, not introducing electronic voting machine (EVM) in the polls, and creating level-playing field for all political parties.

A total of 40 registered political parties will take part in the dialogue in different phases. Seven political parties, including the two, have so far met the EC.

Earlier, the EC also held talks with civil society members, editors and senior journalists in this regard.

Most civil society members during talks with the Election Commission on July 30 spoke for restoring “no vote” system and ensuring a level-playing field for all political parties.