Cut election expense by two-thirds: CPB

Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) yesterday suggested cutting down maximum expenditure during parliamentary election campaigns by two-third to five lakh while keeping the deposit money of Tk 10,000 unchanged.
They made the recommendations at a dialogue with Election Commission (EC) at its secretariat in the city as part of its ongoing dialogue to be held with 38 registered political parties till July 14.
CPB Secretary General Mujahidul Islam Selim led a nine-member CPB delegation there including party presidium members Haidar Akbar Khan Rono and Shamsuzzaman Selim.
CPB, however, did not opine on introduction of electronic voting machine (EVM) for the next general elections, saying it needs more time to think it over.
CPB leaders suggested not to appoint any person accused of war crimes or communalism as the chief election commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners.
They also agreed with EC's proposal to set the number of constituencies in Dhaka City Corporation at 10.
About distribution of proposed public fund to assist candidates financially, they recommended equal treatment to all candidates irrespective of party affiliation.
Asked about BNP decision to boycott the dialogue, CEC ATM Shamsul Huda told reporters that the commission would continue talks with other political parties as per schedule.
EC launched the dialogues on Tuesday for opinions on key issues like use of EVM; Representation of the People Order; laws on demarcation of constituencies and appointment of election commissioners.
EC held dialogues with Liberation Democratic Party and Jatiya Party (Manju) on Tuesday while Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal and Krishak Sramik Janata League on Wednesday.