Election should be considered as `sportsmanship spirit`:President

President Abdul Hamid today said that mutual trust and confidence is very important in democracy and added that election should be considered as `sportsmanship spirit`.

He also said that he found similarities in some proposals of political parties regarding the formation of a new Election Commission (EC).

The President said this during discussion with Workers Party, a component of the ruling Awami League led 14-party alliance, over the EC formation.

Workers Party President and Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon led the party`s 10-member delegation in the discussion held at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban.

The President`s press secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting.

Abdul Hamid said mutual trust and confidence is very important in democracy and added that election should be considered as `sportsmanship spirit`.

During the 45-minute meeting, Workers Party placed an eight-point proposal over the formation of search committee and the EC.

The delegation praised the President`s discussion initiative and hoped that the President would set an example by forming an EC through the discussion with political parties which will be exemplary to the future generation.

Workers Party general secretary Fazle Hossain Badsha read out the party`s proposals in the meeting.

In its proposals Workers Party proposed to include two women in the EC and to formulate a law for the appointment of chief election commissioner and other election commissioners.

President Hamid initiated the formal talks with registered political parties over the formation of EC and as part of this move he held fist talks with BNP on December 18. He also held talks with LDP, Krishak Sramik Janata League, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Jatiya Party.

The tenure of the current Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad-led EC expires in February next.

Secretaries concerned to the President were present in the meeting.

Source : BSS