EC has no scope for vote rigging

Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club in the city, Justice Rouf, also a former chief election commissioner, said the entire election procedure is designed in such a way that the EC officials cannot be involved in rigging.

But the political parties tend to blame the constitutional body which is not desirable, he added.

Justice Rouf suggested some changes in electoral process to hold a free and fair election.

These included setting up of polling centre for every five hundred voters and reduce the voting time to complete vote counting within 2:00pm.

Results should be passed to the Returning Officers in presence of the representatives of the candidates and army officials.

He also recommended re-initiation of Section 91-D of The Representation of the People Order (RPO) that was skipped in 2001 for cancelling candidature of the candidates for their involvement in violent activities.

Justice Rouf called for resolving the electoral disputes within 120 days and recruiting 30 judges for election tribunals for four months.

He said the executive body and High Court should not interfere in EC's constitutional duties and violence or threats against EC officials should be considered as undemocratic and unconstitutional and necessary steps should be taken in this regard.

Criticising the dialogue between the secretaries of the ruling and opposition parties, Justice Rouf said there is no scope for playing hide and seek game in national issues.

" The way the dialogue is going on has made the countrymen more worried, " he added.

Former advisor to the caretaker government Prof MA Majed, Journalist Sadek Khan, Brigadier General (Retd) M Shakhawat Hossain and Executive Director of CNA Isharof Hossain were also present at the press conference.