Youth leaders want independent Election Commission

Youth leaders from the ruling party Awami League, and BNP have demanded an independent and strong Election Commission to hold free, fair and participatory election. The leaders from across the country came up with the demands at a round-table discussion programme titled “Advancing Youth Leadership and Participation for Peaceful Elections,” organised by Democracy International Bangladesh. The event was held on Thursday at Six Seasons hotel in the capital. It was hosted under the Strengthening Political Landscape in Bangladesh project (SPL) funded by USAID and UKAID. They have demanded that political parties should include youth leaders – above the age of 35 – in party committees. Youth leaders said political parties should also arrange training sessions for grass-root leaders to learn tolerance – to strengthen, advance youth leadership and participation in peaceful elections. Political adviser to the prime minister HT Imam; Awami League MPs Dr Md Abdur Razzak and Waseqa Ayesha Khan; and Awami League Organising Secretary Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury, among others, attended the event as panel guests. HT Imam said: “There are many young leaders in Awami League's Central Committee who are doing very well.” Besides, BNP's Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, and BNP's Assistant International Affairs Secretary (Central Committee) Barrister Rumin Farhana were also present as panel guests.