Delegations of Bangladesh Islami Front and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh on Wednesday met President Abdul Hamid separately at Bangabhaban to present their proposals on the formation of a new Election Commission for holding the 12th parliamentary polls.
The six member delegation of Bangladesh Islami Front led by chairman Mawlan M A Manan took part in the discussion at the Durbar Hall of the president’s house at 6pm while seven member delegation led by vice-president Maulana Abdur Rab Yousufi met with the President at 7pm, according to Joynal Abedin, press secretary to the president.
Welcoming them in the Bangabhaban, Abdul Hamid said the formation of an acceptable election commission as well as the cooperation of all concerned including political parties is essential for holding a fair and impartial election.
Mentioning the need to change the mindset of the voters for holding a fair and neutral election, President Hamid said that the political parties should come forward to motivate the people for this.
During the discussion, Bangladesh Islamic Front and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh presented their proposals including enactment of law to form an acceptable election commission.
Representatives of the Islamic Front also proposed that the new Election Commission must ensure the co-operation of the executive bodies during the election.
Secretaries concerned to the President were present during the meeting.
President Hamid opened the dialogue on formation of the next EC on December 20. The current EC is scheduled to end its five-year term in February next.
So far 15 of 27 political parties who were invited in phases joined the talks.
According to Bangabhaban press wing, the other parties invited for the dialogue are – Gono Front and Liberal Democratic Party ( LDP) on Jaof ary 6, Krishak Janata League and Bangladesh Muslim League ( BML) on January 9, Jatiya Party ( JP) and Jatiya Somajtantrik Dal (JSD) on January 10, Islami Front Bangladesh and Bangladesh National Awami Party on January 11, and Bangladesh Nationalist Party ( BNP) and National People’s Party ( NPP) on January 12.
The country has now 39 registered political parties, according to the EC website and only nine of them have representation in Parliament.
The nine parties are Bangladesh Awami League, Jatiya Party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, Ganoforum, Bangladesh Tarikat Federation and Jatiya Party-JP.
Source: United News of Bangladesh