As Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is firm on hold the next parliamentary election under an interim government, to be headed by her, the Election Commission (EC) will consult legal experts to create a level- playing field for all candidates to hold the election under a political government, if needed.
“It’s our duty to ensure a level-playing field for the candidates of each constituency. To do that, we’ll provide guidelines to returning officers, and change the election code of conduct,” Election Commissioner Zabed Ali told reporters at his EC secretariat office in Dhaka yesterday.
Zabed Ali said the EC will amend the code of conduct and also the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 2009, if necessary, in line with the Constitution to create the level-playing field for all candidates for the general election.
As per the existing rules, the ministers and state ministers will enjoy the privileges and protocol during the election in the country as in other countries in the world.
“If the election can be held under the political government in the UK and our neighbouring country, why can’t it be in our country? We’ll do everything possible to ensure a level-playing for each candidate,” he said in response to a query.
Replying to another query whether the EC has any plan to help solve the ongoing political crisis, Zabed said: “Political crisis will be resolved politically. We have the Constitution to follow. We have to work in accordance with the Constitution.”
The election commission wants all political parties to join the election. “We request all to take part in the election in an enthusiastic and fervent environment,” he added.
Responding to another question over violation of the code of conduct by the prime minister, the commissioner said the code of conduct becomes effective after the announcement of the election schedule.
The EC has nothing to do if the premier or other persons engage in polls campaign immediately before the poll schedule is announced.
“If anyone thinks it’s a violation of laws, he can go to the court,” he suggested. The EC is now preparing lists of polling stations and booths and it will announce the election schedules in time, Zabed Ali said.
There are now over 91.9mn voters across Bangladesh.
A European Union (EU) Election Exploratory Mission arrives in Dhaka tomorrow to assess the feasibility, usefulness and advisability of and help prepare for a potential Election Observation Mission to Bangladesh.
The mission will stay in Bangladesh from September 7 to September 23, said an EU media spokesman yesterday. The mission will comprise five members led by Balthasar Benz of the European External Action Service.
During the visit, officials of the Exploratory Mission will hold meetings with the relevant authorities and stakeholders, including members of the media.
Meanwhile Environment and Forests Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, a close aide of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, yesterday said the general election will be held under an interim government led by incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as per the Constitution.
“Our stance is clear, the next general election will be held according to the provision of the constitution like in other democratic countries, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will head the polls-time interim government,” said Hasan Mahmud.
The minister who is also the publicity secretary of the ruling party held the briefing following a meeting with Usaid mission director to Bangladesh Richard Green at his secretariat office.
He also said if there is any proposal from opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for strengthening the election commission to hold the election, they can place it in the next parliament session for discussions.
Mahmud said: “All political parties will finally participate in the elections because they did it before despite threatening not to participate in the polls initially.”
BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on the other hand threatened to use every possible means to force the government to amend the Constitution paving the way for holding the next polls under a non-party administration.
“We don’t have time. We’ll apply all the necessary strategies to compel the government to arrange the polls under a non-party caretaker administration by changing the Constitution,” he told a discussion.
Alleging that the government is trying to mislead people, the BNP spokesman said: “The Constitution is for people. It’s not a holy book that it can’t be changed. The people of the country want to see a fair election under a non-party administration. So, the charter must be amended.”
Jatiya Jubo Jagpa arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club marking its 23rd founding anniversary. Fakhrul said they will soon start a movement to force the government to concede to people’s demand for reinstating the caretaker government system.
Source: Gulf-times
