Krishak Sramik Janata League ( KSJL) on Monday called for forming an election-time neutral government comprising the registered political parties for holding the next general election.
KSJL made the call in its six-point proposal submitted to President Abdul Hamid during talks at Bangabhaban, Joynal Abedin, president’s press secretary told UNB.
It said that the neutrality of the election-time government is more important than the efficiency of the EC.
The party’s nine-member delegation to the talks was led by Bangabir Abdul Kader Siddiqui, the founding president of the party.
KSJL opposed the formation of search committee for choosing the next EC. Instead, it said, a five-member EC should be formed comprising patriotic and honest people who will be acceptable to all.
They also proposed to keep the Election Commission independent and free and not to formulate any election laws without the opinion of the registered political parties.
The president thanked them for their views and hoped that their views would play an important role in shaping an acceptable election commission.
Secretary to the President Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary to the President Joynal Abedin and were also present in the talks.
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.
According to Bangabhaban press wing, the other parties invited for the dialogue are – Jatiya Party ( JP) and Jatiya Somajtantrik Dal (JSD) on January 10, Islami Front Bangladesh and Bangladesh National Awami Party on January 11, Bangladesh Nationalist Party ( BNP) and National People’s Party ( NPP) on January 12, Bangladesh Kallyan Party, Jaker Party and Bangladesh Jatiya Party on January 13 and Bangladesh Awami League on January 17.
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