Khaleda for forming EC based on consensus

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia today underscored the need for a stronger Election Commission, chosen with representatives based on a consensus of all political parties, ahead of the next general election.

- EC search body formation by president after talks with parties

- Set of recommendations on the search body

- Set of suggestions for empowering EC

Her call came on the heels of formation of a new Election Commission as the incumbent commission, headed by Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, is due for expiration in February next year.

She laid out a set of recommendations on formation of the new commission, and empowering it, including a set of changes to the Representation of the People’s Order (RPO), in a press briefing held at a Dhaka hotel this afternoon.

EC SEARCH COMMITTEE

Khaleda called for formation of a search committee with clean slated former chief justices, eminent citizens and common people – whom the president will select after holding talks with all parties.

“People who served in the Prime Minister’s Office or a former parliament representative will not be eligible. The president will form the search committee after holding talks with all political parties,” she said.

Khaleda suggested formation of a five-member election commission headed by a chief election commissioner and with the inclusion of a female election commissioner.

“Former chief justices who are above of all controversy, eminent citizens and people who are respectful in all walks of life will be eligible to be members of the search committee,” she said.

STRENGTHENING ELECTION COMMISSION

After announcement of the election schedule, the power to make reshuffles in the administration   will have to be given to the election officials, she said.

Deputy commissioners and police superintendents will have to be changed and new administrators will have to be replaced to ensure transparency in the election, she said.

Khaleda said the magistracy power will have to be given to the election officials to take legal action against trouble makers during the polls.

To improve service quality, the election commission officials will have to be trained, she added.