Bangladesh Awami League, during the talks with President Md Abdul Hamid, has placed some proposals, including enacting new law, strengthening the Election Commission 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 Election Commission on Monday, the last day of 17-day dialogue with political parties, at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban in Dhaka, President’s Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told BSS.
Other members of the delegation are — Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Advisory Council members Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, Presidium members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, Muhammad Faruk Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and Abdur Rahman.
After the meeting, the press secretary said the Awami League delegation proposed that the president will appoint the chief election commissioner 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 electronic voting machine (EVM) system, in the interest of holding free, fair and credible elections.
The Awami League 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 voter list and overall security on election day, before and after the election.
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.
