Dialogue with JSD: Hamid says he would consider demand for law

President Abdul Hamid yesterday said he would consider a proposal to enact a law, in light of the constitution, on formation of Election Commission. 

“The honourable president has assured us that he will think of a law as mentioned in section-118 of the constitution,” said Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) General Secretary Shirin Akhtar as she briefed reporters on the outcome of her party's meeting with Hamid at Bangabhaban.

At the hour-long talks with a 12-member JSD delegation led by its President Hasanul Haq Inu, Hamid appreciated the party's proposal to enact such a law, said Shirin, a lawmaker from the JSD.

The tenure of the EC led by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad will expire in February next year. 

It is possible to enact the law before the period of the present EC ends if all political parties can reach a consensus in this regard, the JSD lawmaker said.

“The president supported our proposal in principle terming it a good suggestion,” Shirin said, adding that it is the jurisdiction of the president to decide who he would talk to on the enactment of the law.

About the dialogue, she said the party submitted a seven-point proposal to Hamid, suggesting how the EC should be strengthened.

“We have given highest importance to making a law in line with the country's supreme charter on the formation of election commission. We think the law will strengthen the country's electoral system.”

The JSD also recommended constituting EC with dignitaries who believe in the spirit of the country's Liberation War.

A search committee should be formed with judges, one each from the Appellate Division and the High Court, and individuals in different constitutional posts. It will seek names for the posts of chief election commissioner (CEC) and election commissioners from political, social and civil organisations and registered voters, according to the proposal.

The committee will then select three people against the post of CEC and 12 people against four election commissioner posts.

The names of the 15 selected would be sent to the president who will pick candidates for appointment. At least one election commissioner will be female. Before the appointments, the president will make public those names, the JSD said in its proposal.

In a press release issued by the president's office, Hamid expressed the hope that a strong EC would be made possible through sharing of opinions by political parties during talks with him.

President Hamid earlier held dialogues with the BNP, Jatiya Party, Liberal Democratic Party and Krishok Sramik Janata League on EC formation. He is scheduled to sit with the Workers Party this afternoon.