EC formation dialogue: Lack of trust blamed for political parties’ rejections
Parties discouraged by ineffectiveness of previous dialogues, political commentators say
FILE PHOTO: Ballot Box Dhaka Tribune
Mamun Abdullah
Publish : 07 Jan 2022, 12:04 AMUpdate : 07 Jan 2022, 02:13 PM
Several political parties have rejected President Abdul Hamid’s invitation to a dialogue on the reconstitution of the Election Commission as a result of a lack of trust due to the ineffectiveness of the two previous dialogues, according to electoral analysts.
Describing the dialogues as meaningless and mere formalities, the experts called upon the government to enact a law on the formation of the EC to ensure free and fair polls.
The president began talks with registered political parties on December 20 and has so far held talks with eight political parties. Four major parties - BNP, the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal and Islami Andolon Bangladesh – have refused to join the dialogue.
This is the first time since 2012 that political parties have rejected the president's call for dialogue on the reconstitution of the Election Commission.
The term of the current EC will expire on February 14, and the next commission formed by the president must organise the next general election slated for 2023.
Supreme Court lawyer Shahdeen Malik claimed the government was attempting to trick people with the show of forming a search committee.
“The president has no power to form a search committee because he has to consult with the prime minister regarding all matters, except the appointment of the PM and the chief justice,” he said.
The eminent jurist added that political parties had lost interest in the dialogue as the last two dialogues yielded ineffective results, and alleged the government could swiftly enact a law if it truly wanted a Election Commission that could organize free and fair polls.
Former adviser to a caretaker government Akbar Ali Khan said the formation of a search committee with people favoured by the government would yield no benefit.
Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) Central Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar alleged that even if no political party attended the dialogue, the government would have no problem as it would still form the commission in its own way.
“Blocking the constitutional way through such activities can lead to violence to force a change of power, which is not desirable and beneficial for anyone,” he warned.
Former Election Commissioner Brig General M Sakhawat Hossain said there would be no need for dialogues if there was a law.
“We sent a detailed outline on the formulation of an act after discussions with all political parties, but the government has not paid heed to it,” he said.
Political analyst Sakhawat also said no one would ever guarantee a fair election if the law was not implemented properly.
EC formation dialogue: Lack of trust blamed for political parties’ rejections
Parties discouraged by ineffectiveness of previous dialogues, political commentators say
Several political parties have rejected President Abdul Hamid’s invitation to a dialogue on the reconstitution of the Election Commission as a result of a lack of trust due to the ineffectiveness of the two previous dialogues, according to electoral analysts.
Describing the dialogues as meaningless and mere formalities, the experts called upon the government to enact a law on the formation of the EC to ensure free and fair polls.
The president began talks with registered political parties on December 20 and has so far held talks with eight political parties. Four major parties - BNP, the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal and Islami Andolon Bangladesh – have refused to join the dialogue.
This is the first time since 2012 that political parties have rejected the president's call for dialogue on the reconstitution of the Election Commission.
The term of the current EC will expire on February 14, and the next commission formed by the president must organise the next general election slated for 2023.
Supreme Court lawyer Shahdeen Malik claimed the government was attempting to trick people with the show of forming a search committee.
“The president has no power to form a search committee because he has to consult with the prime minister regarding all matters, except the appointment of the PM and the chief justice,” he said.
The eminent jurist added that political parties had lost interest in the dialogue as the last two dialogues yielded ineffective results, and alleged the government could swiftly enact a law if it truly wanted a Election Commission that could organize free and fair polls.
Former adviser to a caretaker government Akbar Ali Khan said the formation of a search committee with people favoured by the government would yield no benefit.
Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) Central Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar alleged that even if no political party attended the dialogue, the government would have no problem as it would still form the commission in its own way.
“Blocking the constitutional way through such activities can lead to violence to force a change of power, which is not desirable and beneficial for anyone,” he warned.
Former Election Commissioner Brig General M Sakhawat Hossain said there would be no need for dialogues if there was a law.
“We sent a detailed outline on the formulation of an act after discussions with all political parties, but the government has not paid heed to it,” he said.
Political analyst Sakhawat also said no one would ever guarantee a fair election if the law was not implemented properly.