The Election Commission has decided in principle to hold dialogues with members of different political parties, civil society and mass media in mid-October for fixing date and ensuring participation of all parties in the next parliamentary polls.
The commission would also seek suggestions from the participants to prepare the electoral code of conduct and hold the elections in a free, fair and impartial manner, EC sources said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently announced that the polls would be held under the incumbent government. In this context, the electoral codes need to be changed to ensure a level playing field for all political parties, since the prime minister, ministers, state ministers and MPs would retain their posts keeping the parliament functional.
An EC official, on condition of anonymity, said: “There is no alternative to changing the electoral code of conduct for ensuring equal chance for all parties.”
The official also said the EC was waiting for an amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO). When parliament passes the amended RPO in the next session, which starts on Thursday, the EC would take the initiative to amend the electoral procedures.
However, if the parties fail to reach a consensus on the matter, the EC would formulate the codes on its own initiative and publish it on its website.
Meanwhile, the EC would consult with the political parties on different election-related matters, including schedule of the general elections.
The CEC earlier said the commission would sit with the political parties, if necessary.
The EC had proposed dialogues with political parties, civil society and senior journalists in the second election working plan prepared last September.
