AL ready to cooperate with govt to ensure free, fair election: PM to President
The head of the government, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said her party and the government are always ready to co-operate in all possible ways to ensure free, fair and neutral election through which people would be able to exercise their voting rights.
Bangladesh Awami League, during the talks with President M Abdul Hamid today placed some proposals, including enacting new law, strengthening the election commission (EC) and using EVM like technologies in the polls.
The ruling party led by its president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave the proposals as she led the 10-member delegation to hold talks with the president over forming an acceptable EC today, on the last day of 17-day dialogue with political parties, at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban in the capital, President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told BSS.
She informed the president that a draft law for enactment of an EC Formation has been approved by the Cabinet today in accordance with Article 118 of the constitution and the law will be enacted as soon as possible after completing the legal process.
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked President Abdul Hamid for organising a dialogue with the political parties to restructure the EC.
Welcoming the AL delegation to Bangabhaban, the president said the EC should be formed as per the constitution.
He said discussions have already been held with all political parties and the next steps will be taken to form an EC in line with the recommendation of the discussions.
The other members of the 10-member delegation include AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, advisory council members Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, presidium members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, Faruk Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and Abdur Rahman.
After the meeting, the press secretary said the AL delegation proposed that the president will appoint the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners in accordance with Article 118 of the constitution.
In the process of making these appointments, the president will appoint those whom he deems suitable and fit, they added.
The press secretary said they proposed to increase the use of technology, including EVMs, in the interest of holding free, fair, and credible elections.
The AL delegation discussed the formation of an independent and effective EC to ensure a neutral and acceptable election, the responsibilities of the executive branch in polls-time period, the manner of responsible persons of the EC and ensuring accurate voters list and overall security on election day, before, and after the elections.
At the meeting, the Awami League proposed to appoint only the officers and employees of the republic as presiding and polling officers instead of using the officers and employees of the private sector in conducting the elections, and to ensure responsible and impartial role of the individuals assigned in maintaining the law and order.
They called for taking necessary steps to ensure that voters at all levels, including religious minorities, can cast their votes in the polls smoothly.
The head of state thanked the government for approving proposed the EC formation law in the cabinet meeting.
The law will be passed in the Jatiya Sangsad as soon as possible and it would reflect public opinions eventually, he hoped.
Joynal Abedin said the president invited a total of 32 political parties, including AL for a dialogue on forming an independent, neutral and credible EC.
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