President's talks shaping up well

Our thanks to the BNP for its prompt and unambiguous decision to join the President-initiated talks on reconstitution of the Election Commission, the present incumbency coming to an end in February 2012. It is a sensible and responsible move by them. The spirit with which the opposition is coming forward to take part in the consultative process is indeed laudable and should be reciprocated.
The formation of a new Election Commission is an issue on which the opposition has a huge stake. Their spokesman emphasised that the 'old issues remained' implying the caretaker government question. It is a sign of maturity on the BNP's part not to have made its joining talks conditional on the issue. In addition to the pressing need for reconstituting the EC, the two issues, the other one being the caretaker issue are not contradictory of each other. In fact, mutually acceptable reconstitution of the EC is crucial to the holding of the national elections in a free, fair and credible manner. When this is achieved, the rest can follow.
Let's not miss the point that the opposition's positive response to offer of talks with the President is marked by opening of a channel of communication, manifestly a relief amid an increasing polarisation between the major political parties.
The prime minister in her interaction with media editors on Monday expressed her strong commitment to strengthening democratic institutions in the country including the Election Commission. In consonance with this, we hope the government would hear with respect the opposition's suggestions towards the formation of the EC and be accommodative to them.
Now that the presidential talks are getting underway in a representative fashion and the opposition has expressed its intent in getting involved in the consultations, both sides should consciously endeavour to maintain a congenial atmosphere to carry the process forward. They should refrain from giving any negative signal to each other by way of irresponsible utterances denigrating in any way the view points of each other. Rather one expects a reconciliatory atmosphere to be ushered in by careful and sagacious handling on both sides from day one.