President begins EC formation dialogue with Jatiya Party

On Monday (December 20), President Abdul Hamid launched dialogue with the main opposition Jatiya Party in Parliament to discuss matters regarding the reconstitution of the Election Commission (EC).

In the hour long dialogue, the president and an eight-member delegation of Jatiya Party (JaPa) engaged in crucial conversation, said the President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin.

President Hamid said that the EC is a very important part in the election process, in his welcome address to the JaPa delegation. 

"The five-year tenure of the incumbent Commission, led by Chief Election Commission KM Nurul Huda, will expire on February 14 next. So the dialogue is organised to form an acceptable Election Commission," he said.

President hoped that it will be possible to form an acceptable Election Commission with the opinion and suggestion of the political parties. The newly formed EC will be able to conduct a free and fair election from National level election to local level election, he also hoped.

He also sought the support from the all political parties and civil societies in this process.

A three point proposal was presented to the President by Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader's  delegation to form a free and neutral EC during the talks. 

JaPa Chairman Quader who led his party’s delegation thanked the President and expressed gratitude for holidng such a discussion aiming to form the new EC.

The delegation proposed the enactment of a law in line with constitution as there exists no law as required under Article 118 (1) of the constitution to form the commission and appoint the chief and other election commissioners.

‘There shall be an Election Commission for Bangladesh consisting of a chief election commissioner and not more than four election commissioners and the appointment of the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners (if any) shall, subject to the provisions of any law made in that behalf, be made by the president, reads the article. 

An ordinance can be issued if formulating a law for its formation is not possible right now, said the delegation. 

The delegation also said if formulating a law and issuing an ordinance for its formation are not possible right now, an acceptable 'Search Committee' can be formed for constituting the next EC.

Delegation of Jatiya Party (JaPa) also assured the President of their  all-out support in this initiative of forming EC.

The other members  of the delegation are: Senior Co-Chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud,  Secretary General Mujibul Haque, Co- Chairman ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader, Kazi Firoz Rashid, Syed Abul Hossain Babla, Salma Islam, Chief Whip of main opposition party and Presidium member of the party Mashiur Rahman Ranga.

According to the EC website, there are currently 39 registered political parties. However, only nine parties have representation in Parliament.

The nine parties are: Bangladesh Awami League, Jatiya Party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, Ganoforum, Bangladesh Tarikat Federation and Jatiya Party. 

President Abdul Hamid had a series of talks back in December 2016, with the registered political parties over the EC’s reconstitution that began with the first meeting with a delegation of BNP.

Later, a six-member search committee was formed to recommend names for the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners.

The reconstituted election commission will have to arrange the 12th national election within November 2023 to January 2024.