Dialogue with president: Samyabadi Dal asks for law on EC formation
Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal during its dialogue with President Abdul Hamid yesterday joined the chorus of political parties recommending that a law be enacted to form the Election Commission.
In its written proposal presented to Hamid, the party said people's hopes will be reflected if an EC is formed through a law in line with the constitution.
Past experience shows that an EC formed without a law becomes a subservient institution, the party said.
"We have urged the president to take steps for framing a law to form the Election Commission," party General Secretary Dilip Barua told The Daily Star after the dialogue held at the Bangabhaban.
"If a search committee needs to be formed due to constitutional obligations, the president can form such a committee comprising heads of constitutional bodies.
"We also proposed that it is realistic to form an election-time government under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he added.
According to a Bangabahaban press wing statement, during the dialogue the president said it is important to ensure political etiquette and a healthy environment in politics for a fair and credible election, and this is a task to for the political parties.
Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal in the written proposals also recommended for instant actions against misuse of religion, money and arms.
It also said most MPs in parliament are businessmen and that is a hurdle for democracy to flourish. Dominance of businessmen in parliament also limits the scope of people's franchise rights.
A seven-member delegation led by Dilip took part in the dialogue.
The president late last month started dialogues with registered political parties on the formation of the next EC as the tenure of the Election Commission led by KM Nurul Huda expires on February 14.
The president will have to form the new EC before the tenure of the incumbent EC expires, according to the constitution.
Thirteen parties have so far joined the dialogue.
However, three parties -- Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal and Islami Andolon Bangladesh -- have refused to participate. The BNP said it would not join the dialogue.
According to the Bangabhaban press wing, the president has invited nine more political parties for the dialogue.
Jamiat Ulama-e Islam has been invited on January 5, Gono Front and Liberal Democratic Party on January 6, Krishak Sramik Janata League and Bangladesh Muslim League on January 9, Jatiya Pary-JP and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rob) on January 10, Bangladesh Islami Front and Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP) on January 11.
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