No polls with MPs in office
Chiefs of Workers Party and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, two components of
the Awami League-led ruling alliance, yesterday proposed in parliament scrapping the constitutional provision that allows MPs to remain in office during parliamentary polls.
The latest amendment to the constitution last year introduced the provision for parliamentary polls within 90 days preceding dissolution of the House.
This means members of the present parliament will remain in office
when the next parliamentary election will be held with the AL-led alliance still in power.
Terming the provision discriminatory, Workers Party chief Rashed Khan Menon said credibility of the election will be questioned if it continues to be in force.
“We have been talking about a level playing field for holding fair polls. If this provision remains, how a level playing field will be ensured for sitting MPs and those aspiring to be MPs,” Menon asked while speaking on the proposed budget.
He said there is no such provision in any country, including India, Pakistan, Canada, and New Zealand.
“So, this provision must be changed to ensure credibility of the next parliamentary polls,” Menon said.
He also urged the government to determine the structure of an interim government that will remain in office during the next parliamentary polls.
Participating in the budget discussion, JSD chief Hasanul Haq Inu supported Menon's proposals.
Both Menon and Inu urged the main opposition BNP to return to parliament and place proposals outlining the structure of an interim government for holding polls.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on June 11 asked AL
lawmakers to make preparations for the next parliamentary election keeping in mind that the election process would begin three months before dissolution of the House.
POWER&STOCKMARKET
Menon, Inu and Jatiya Party lawmaker TIM Fazle Rabbi Chowdhury criticised the government for what they said was its failure to take punitive action again those involved in share market scam, to improve power situation and law and order.
Fazle Rabbi said people are now concerned over deterioration of the law and order. "Secret killings, forced disappearances, muggings, price hike of essentials and load shedding have tainted the image of the government," he added.
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