Gono Oikya pledges to scrap Article 70

Bobby Hajjaj-led Gono Oikya has pledged to introduce a two-chamber parliament and scrap Article 70 of the constitution to ensure freedom of expression of lawmakers, if voted to power in the December 30 national election.

It made the pledge in its nine-point election manifesto unveiled yesterday at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club.

According to Article 70, lawmakers lose their seats in parliament if they vote in the House against the party that nominated them.

While reading out the statement, Bobby Hajjaj said they do not want any kind of division among the countrymen due to political ideologies, adding that everyone who believes in country's independence and sovereignty is Bangladeshi.

He said legal action would be taken against those who term others “neo-Razakar” or “anti-independence”.

In its manifesto, comprising a total of 122 pledges, the party said it would work to bring balance between the power of prime minister and president to ensure more transparency and accountability of government.

Terming the Digital Security Act “discriminatory”, the manifesto said the party will review the act if they come to power.

“Gono Oikya clearly declares that it would eliminate all the black laws [that were] introduced to control the media,” it said.

They would curb all political influence and illegal trade centring transfer and promotion of government employees and would adopt zero-tolerance policy against all terror activities, if they were elected or became part of the government, said the manifesto.

Gono Oikya is contesting the national election in 55 constituencies.