JASAD tells EC interim govt has 'no authority' to hold referendum

The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) has said the interim government, mandated only to run executive functions, has exceeded its jurisdiction by moving towards organising a referendum.

JASAD made the remark in a letter submitted to Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed yesterday, at the Election Commission Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka.

A seven-member delegation led by JASAD Central Executive Committee joint general secretaries Shawkat Raihan and Obaidur Rahman Chunnu met the EC secretary and handed over the letter.

In the letter, JASAD said that while the EC recently held dialogues with registered political parties, it did not invite parties such as the Awami League, Jatiya Party, JASAD, and the Workers Party. The party noted that these parties received a significant number of votes in the elections held between 1991 and 2008.

Referring to the Appellate Division's opinion, JASAD said the current government assumed office as an "interim arrangement to carry out the executive functions of the state". Therefore, under Articles 94(1)(b) and 142(1)(a) of the constitution, any decision by this government to hold a referendum for constitutional amendment, or to promulgate an ordinance in this regard, is unconstitutional. As a constitutional body, the EC should not be involved in such "illegal" activities, the party said.

JASAD also demanded the withdrawal of all "false cases" filed against pro-Liberation War forces, including its president Hasanul Haq Inu, and the annulment of verdicts already delivered in such cases.

The letter further stated that offices of JASAD and several other registered political parties are currently under the occupation of "mobs". Until party offices are freed and cases against political leaders are withdrawn, an environment conducive to an inclusive election cannot be created, it added.

Noting that the constitution prohibits the use of religion in politics, JASAD said religion-based and communal parties have no right to be registered or to contest elections. The party expressed concern that the EC is not adhering to constitutional directives in this regard.