AL, BNP avoiding key reform issues in dialogue
Accountability of political parties, their sources of income, internal democracy as well as an independent Election Commission (EC) are the key reform issues, but the ongoing dialogue is limited to only a few persons, they observed.
The roundtable titled, 'Dialogue and reforms: Public views' was organised by Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) at the National Press Club in the city.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. There are controversies over the voter list, but neither AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil nor BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan are talking on the issue, said Shujan President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad.
" The whole spirit of the election could be destroyed if the voter list is not prepared properly," he said, urging the two leaders of the ruling and opposition parties to go beyond the personal and partisan interest while pursuing the dialogue.
Stressing on upholding the neutrality of the constitutional bodies he said formation of a peoples' parliament that will work as a watchdog has become a necessity for the country.
Shujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder said a fair election depends on the independence of the EC and behaviour of the political parties.
If the political parties do not behave as they are supposed to do in a democratic country, fair election is not possible, he noted.
"That is why reform of the political parties should be the first priority," he said, adding nomination process of the candidates and parties' election expenditures must be made transparent.
As long as the EC remains under the Prime Minister's Office it is not possible for the EC to be neutral, Badiul said, posing a question, "Why did the present EC secretary meet the PM before joining his post?"
Justice Naimuddin Ahmed said CEC Justice MA Aziz has been violating the electoral laws since the day of his appointment, which he said is 'motivated'.
According to the constitution, Justice KM Hasan will be the chief of the next caretaker government, he said, adding that there is no scope for the political parties to discuss the matter.
Former advisor to caretaker government ASM Shahjahan said the issues of Justice MA Aziz and Justice KM Hasan are obviously important in the dialogue, but other issues of reforms including the whole system of political parties and election are more important.
He observed that if the chief of caretaker government is not appointed on the basis of the consensus of all political parties, it would create a problem.
"Partisan interests are getting more importance in the dialogue," he noted.
Professor Asif Nazrul of Dhaka University said the issues of the CEC and caretaker government should not be the main concern as they are not the main problem.
"We, as the civil society members, should stress that the political parties pledge to separate the judiciary from the executive, ensure autonomy of the state-run radio and television and cancel the Official Secrets Act," he noted.
Laying emphasis on making the constituencies smaller and increasing the number of polling booths, Brigadier General (Retd) Shakhawat Hossain said if a small number of people can cast vote in a polling centre in a short period of time, there will be less scope for vote rigging.
He also proposed a two-tier election system and a caretaker government headed by the PM and MPs from all parties on proportionate basis.
Prothom Alo Deputy Editor Abdul Qaium said the political parties should remain alert so that the dialogue does not push the election towards uncertainty.
DU Professor Syed Anwar Hossain, former secretary Moslehuddin, journalists Syed Abul Maksud and Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, freedom fighter Hamidul Hossain, cultural activist Golam Kuddus and Citizens Rights Movement Secretary General Tusher Rehman also spoke.