EC starts talks with political parties

Election Commission’s talks with political parties kicked off today with Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijot to discuss possible electoral reforms ahead of the next parliamentary polls.

Headed by Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda, the electoral talks started at the Election Commission office around 3:00pm.

As part of the EC’s talks with political parties, a 12-member delegation of Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijot held talks with the CEC.

After the dialogue, Aminur Rahman, executive chief of the party briefed reporters.

He said that his party has proposed the formation of a national council comprising of the chiefs of all political parties and the EC to oversee the election.

The council will also be endorsed by the president, he said.

The council will be headed by the CEC, which will review the polls-time laws and functionality of the EC.

Read More: Civil Society Talks with EC: Call for army in polls, 'no vote' system

They presented a six-point demand including the introduction of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), he said.

Replying to reporters’ query on restoring “no vote” system and army deployment, Aminur said, it is solely the decision of the election commission.

A total of 40 registered political parties will take part in the dialogue which will take place in different phases.

Aminur Rahman, executive chief of Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijot, briefing reporters after holding talks with the CEC. Photo: Mohhammad Al Masum Mollah

Already the timeframe of the dialogue with 12 political parties has been fixed.

The talks will resume after September 10 following a hiatus due to Eid vacation.

Earlier, the EC also held talks with civil society members, editors and senior journalists in this regard.

Most civil society members during talks with the Election Commission on July 30 spoke for restoring “no vote” system and ensuring a level-playing field for all political parties to hold the next election in a free, fair and participatory manner.

They also suggested army be deployed alongside regular law enforcers during the polls, due in January 2019, to remove fear among voters, candidates and election officials.

Editors and senior journalists suggested that the Election Commission should take all-out steps to earn trust of the people and political parties in preparation for holding free, fair and inclusive parliamentary elections.