Editor's Pick

Parliamentary and electoral reform

17 October 2006, 18:00 PM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dr. Anwar Hossain, Bara Maghbazar, Dhaka
As a scientist, I would like to propose a scientific and logical solution to the present debate on the election. Firstly, the voter list, as prepared by the Election Commission (EC), could be checked by a joint committee of the EC and a representative from each of the major political parties and corrected, if necessary, as far as possible. Ideally speaking, every voter should have an identity card, with photo (to be revised every five years). As this is not possible now, immediate actions should be initiated for obtaining birth certificate of all voters and their addresses should be registered with the EC and it will be the responsibility of the voters to inform the EC of any change of address. Secondly, the proposed committee should prepare some rules (they already exist but in some cases, revision may be necessary), which should be strictly obeyed. All parties contesting the election must accept, in writing, the election results prepared by the EC.

My second suggestion is that all Members of Parliament (MP) should constitute the government, which will need a drastic Constitutional Amendment. They will elect a President (not a Parliament Member) and a Speaker (An MP). The Prime Minister will be selected by the President from the party forming majority in the Parliament. The President will form the Cabinet, in consultation with the Prime Minister, from all political parties in proportion to their number in the Parliament and perhaps not more than 10% Technocrat Members (not MPs). The Cabinet will consult the Parliament on all major national issues. This will resolve the problem of the struggle now going on for power as all MPs will together form the Government and will be free to take part in the Parliamentary debate. No MP can be expelled from the party. The MPs should primarily address the problems of his/her constituency for solution by the minister concerned. There will thus be no Opposition Party and neglect of the constituency belonging to opposition.

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