EC completes dialogue with political parties
Dhaka: The Election Commission on Thursday completed its two-month dialogue with the political parties where all the 40 registered parties took part.
The commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda, on August 24 last started the dialogue with talks with Sangskritik Muktijote and completed it with the meeting with Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Thursday.
Taking part in the dialogue, all the registered political parties placed their respective opinions over the Commission's preparation for the arrangement of the 11th national election likely to be held in December 2018.
They submitted their proposals over different issues, including army deployment during the election, dissolution of parliament ahead of the polls, use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) instead of ballot papers in the polls, type of election-time interim government, delimitation of constituencies ahead of the election, using the black money and muscle power, restoration of 'No Vote' provision, ceiling of election expenditure and introduction of online nomination submission.
About the army deployment, the EC received three types of opinions as many parties, including BNP, suggested either deployment of army with magistracy power or as only striking force, while some others, including Awami League, raised their stances against the army deployment in the national polls.
Some parties recommended formation of the election-time government dissolving existing parliament, while some others for arrangement of the election under the existing government in line with the Constitution.
Among other proposals different parties placed are bringing key ministries under the EC during the election and introducing proportional representation election system.
Earlier the commission held dialogue with civil society members on July 31 and media persons on August 16 and 17.
The EC will also hold talks with women leaders on October 23 and election experts on October 24.
The Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad-led Election Commission did not arrange any dialogue with the political parties during its five-year tenure that ended in February 2017.
In 2011, the commission, headed by ATM Shamsul Huda, held dialogue with the political parties. But BNP and most of its allies boycotted the dialogue.