Dhaka – Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh on Monday proposed enacting a law as per the Constitution to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners.
The party made the proposal at a meeting with President Abdul Hamid over the formation of the new Election Commission. UNB news agency reported
Bikalpa Dhara President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury led the party’s 16-member delegation in the discussion held at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban.
The President’s press secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting.
During the 60-minute meeting, Bikalpa Dhara placed a three-point proposal over the EC formation.
The proposals include constituting the EC comprising of a former chief justice, a former army chief, a former vice-chancellor, a former senior secretary, female social activist and a renowned professional and enacting another law to dispose of polls-related cases within six months.
Abdul Hamid said it is very important to have mutual respect and honour others’ opinions in politics. “There should be a sportsmanship spirit in the politics,” he said.
Earlier, the President held discussions with Islami Andolan at the Darbar Hall.
During the meeting, Islami Andolan delegation, led by its Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, placed a seven-point proposal over the formation of the Election Commission.
The proposals include enacting a law to make the EC accountable and forming a separate secretariat for the EC to hold free, fair and neutral polls.
During the 40-minute meeting, the Islami Andolan team termed the President’s discussion initiative a historic one and hoped that through this, a positive and qualitative change will take place in the national politics.
Noting that there are ideological differences among the political parties, the President said but they should have consensus on important national issues.
He also added that any problem can be resolved through discussions.
Secretaries concerned to the President Office were present.
Abdul Hamid initiated the formal talks with political parties about the EC formation with holding discussions with BNP on December 18 last.
He took the dialogue initiative as the tenure of the current Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad-led EC expires in February.
