Dialogue is crucial to form a strong EC: President

President Abdul Hamid today said discussion with political parties will play an important role in constituting a strong Election Commission (EC).

"Election is very important in a democratic process and the Election Commission plays the main role in conducting elections," a Bangabhaban spokesperson quoted the president as saying during a discussion with the 11-member BNP delegation led by its chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban.

President`s press secretary Joynal Abedin said the president also told the BNP delegation that he believed today`s discussion and your "well-thought opinion will play important role in forming a strong Election Commission".

The president`s dialogue with registered political parties on reconstitution of Election Commission began with the discussion with BNP since he took the initiative as the tenure of the current EC led by Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad is set to expire in February next.

The president said exchange of opinions through this discussion would give multiple paths of solution to any issue.

"I believe your (BNP) proposals will play a positive role in forming next Election Commission," President Hamid added.

During the hour-long meeting, President Hamid sought cooperation from all political parties including BNP to form a strong EC.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia presented BNP`s proposals for the formation process of a search committee and the new EC.

She also highlighted her party`s proposal to strengthen the EC and amend the Representation of the People Order (RPO).

Begum Zia thanked the President for inviting BNP for the discussion and wished a success of the President`s initiative to form the new EC.

She said her party would extend all-out cooperation to the President in formation of the new EC.

Other members of BNP delegation are Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Mahbubur Rahman, Rafiqul Islam Miah, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.

Secretaries concerned to the President were present.

The President will hold talks with Jatiya Party on December 20, Liberal Democratic Party and Krishak Sramik Janata League on December 21 and Jatiya Samajtantric Dal (Inu) on December 22, he added.

Source : BSS