Eminent jurist and Gonoforum president Dr Kamal Hossain on Wednesday
said the people demands an election under a ‘neutral government’ like
the one in 2008 and there is no other alternative to it for resolving
the current political stalemate. “We, the people of the country, want the next election to be like that in 2008. We want the Election
Commission and the administration to be the ones observed that time,”
he said at a press conference at his residence at Bailey Road in the
city. Dr Kamal said: “We want an election where there will be no DC
(deputy commissioner), SP (superintendent of police) and returning
officer appointed by this (current) government.” He also observed
that it would create a congenial atmosphere for both the ruling and
the opposition parties to contest in the polls “if the Prime Minister
(Sheikh Hasina) resigns or take steps to curb her executive powers.”
The Gonoforum President said that while the ruling party is not moving
ahead with a plan to restore the confidence of the opposition about
the next polls, the opposition party, in retaliation, is not also
playing a responsible role. “Violence and vandalism can’t be the way
to realise the demands,” he added.. Asked whether he is hopeful
about any positive change in the political scenario in case the
President intervenes, Dr Kamal replied: “There are limitations in the
President’s power. But the President can act as the guardian of all in
the state by advising the sides involved in the contention.” Asked
whether he is afraid of a 1/11 like situation when he desires to have
an election like that of 2008, he said: “There are reasons to fear
that. We’ve met the President to request him to intervene, with hopes
that such thing doesn’t happen.” In November 1 of 2007, an
army-backed caretaker government assumed the state power amid violent
clashes between the then ruling and opposition alliances over the
general election. Dr Kamal also said that the distribution of
executive power of both the President and the Prime Minister as
defined in the Constitution badly needs a review under the present
situation. “The power of the President and the Prime Minister as it
was fixed in the 1972 constitution under a totally different context
needs some review.” Besides, for longer term solution of the
problems in the democratic process of the country, there is the need
for limiting the premiership of a person to two terms, he added. – UNB
