Election commission: Second round of talks today
The Election Commission is all set to host its second round of talks this morning.
It will meet representatives from different sections of society as well as political parties to seek advice on how elections, including the 12th Jatiya Sangsad polls, can be held in a free and fair manner.
According to EC officials, the dialogue is aimed at preparing the commission's roadmap for the next general election, due late next year.
The EC has already sent invitations to 40 eminent citizens for talks.
EC Joint Secretary Asaduzzaman Arzu yesterday said, "We have completed all preparations and sent invitations to eminent citizens. We are hoping that all of them would join the dialogue."
The Daily Star contacted 10 eminent citizens.
Of them, four confirmed joining and one was yet to decide. The remaining five said they would not be able to join for different reasons such as health condition, pre-scheduled appointments and others.
AB Mirza Azizul Islam, former adviser to the caretaker government and noted economist, said, "I will not be able to go to talks. Election is a political issue and I don't get involved in political discussions. I don't think I can make any significant contribution by joining."
Hafizuddin Khan, another former adviser to caretaker government and former bureaucrat, said he will not join talks as it will be difficult for him to give his opinion due to time constraints, as so many people were invited.
"I heard 40 eminent citizens were invited. If they each talk for five minutes, even that will take a long time. It [talks] doesn't work this way. It would have been better if they had invited four or five people. We could have given our opinions properly. Besides, I also have health issues for which I cannot join."
Rasheda K Choudhury, former caretaker government adviser and executive director for Campaign for Popular Education, is currently in the USA and will return Dhaka later this month.
Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), said he will not be able to join talks as he will be in Khulna to attend pre-scheduled programme.
Tofail Ahmed, local governance expert, said, "It won't be possible for me to join as I am in my home in Chattogram since March 18 and will return to Dhaka on March 24."
Gonoshasthaya Kendra trustee Zafrullah Chowdhury, former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumdar, former University Grants Commission chairman Prof Nazrul Islam and Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi Kabir, all said that they would be joining the dialogue today, while economist Prof MM Akash yesterday said he was yet to decide as he as has programme at the same time of the talks.
The EC's initiative to hold dialogue received an underwhelming response on the first day – March 13 -- as just 13 out of 30 invitees joined.
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