EC, journos sit today to talk polls reforms

The Election Commission today begins its two-day talks with editors and senior journalists for their opinions on possible electoral reforms ahead of the next parliamentary polls.

Seventy-one editors and journalists of print, electronic and online media outlets have been invited to the dialogue to be held today and tomorrow.

"On the first day, around 33 media representatives will take part in the talks, and the rest on Wednesday. The talks will start at 10:00am at the Nirbachan Bhaban,” EC acting secretary Helaluddin Ahmed told The Daily Star yesterday.

He said the commission would hold dialogues with the registered 40 political parties from August 24, and the talks would end by September 20.

The EC has already sent invitations to six political parties for talks to be held on August 24, 28 and 30, he said.

He said as Eid-ul-Azha would be celebrated early next month, the commission would pause and hold talks again from September 10.

The EC acting secretary also said the commission was inviting political parties according to the list of registered political parties. The EC was calling in parties in reverse order of the list.

The EC will sit with two political parties each day -- the first one from 11:00am to 1:00pm and the second one from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. “Till now, the number of representatives of each political party is 10, but it might increase for larger political parties,” he said.

Earlier, the commission announced its electoral roadmap. As part of the roadmap, civil society members were the first to hold talks with the commission last month.

During the dialogue, most civil society members 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.

The civil society personalities urged the EC to work for bringing back people's confidence in it and suggested that the Jatiya Sangsad be dissolved ahead of the election.

The list of political parties registered with the EC shows that Bangladesh Nationalist Front and Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijot are at the bottom, and they have been invited to the dialogue on the first day.

In the list, the BNP is at the seventh position, while the ruling Awami League is at the sixth. So, according to the list, the BNP will be invited before the AL.

“If any political party writes to us, citing any problem on their scheduled day, the commission might consider the matter,” said the EC acting secretary.