AL to accept President`s decision over EC: Quader

Bangladesh Awami League yesterday held `effective` talks with President Abdul Hamid giving him a four-point proposal that included forming a search committee to constitute the new Election Commission.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader stated this at a press briefing yesterday evening at the Dhanmondi political office of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina after nearly two hours of discussion with the President at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban here.

"Awami League has faith in the experienced leadership of the honourable President and we accept the required process of appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners (EC)," he told journalists referring to his party`s four proposals submitted to the President yesterday afternoon.

According to the proposals, an ordinance can be promulgated or a necessary law can be enacted to appoint the CEC and ECs as the President in line with Article 118 of the Bangladesh Constitution will appoint the CEC and other ECs and the `e-voting` system can be introduced as per the existing rules and regulations to ensure exercise of people`s voting rights for holding a free, fair and impartial election.

Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, categorically said the discussion over the new EC with the President was effective.

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina led a 19-member delegation at the meeting at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban.

The other delegation members were general secretary Obaidul Quader, Advisory council members Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, AMA Muhith, Yusuf Hossain Humayun, Suranjit Sengupta, HT Imam, Mohammad Zamir, party presidium members Mohammad Nasim, Matia Chowdhury, Sahara Khatun and Syed Ashraful Islam, Joint General Secretaries Dr Dipu Moni and Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Legal Affairs Secretary Abdul Matin Khasru, Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud, Office Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap and Law Minister Anisul Haque.

President Abdul Hamid held formal talks with 22 political parties over the constitution of the new Election Commission, initiating the discussion with BNP last month.

The tenure of the incumbent EC led by Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad expires next month.

Source : BSS