Textile and Jute adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain has sought the responsibilities of all ministries must be placed under the jurisdiction of Election Commission (EC) during the polls.
He sought the responsibilities while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on "What reforms we want to see in the Election Commission" organised by Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) at CIRDAP Auditorium in the capital on Saturday (October 12).
Sakhawat Hossain, also the adviser for Shipping Ministry, said that reports issued by the EC on officials it appoints must be treated as final, without government interference, to ensure accountability. The government should not interfere here. The EC must receive the power to exercise its authority on the ministries during the polls.
Speaking at the seminar, Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, head of the Commission for Election Reform, said the entire election process must be transparent and effective.
"An election that fails to uphold democratic governance is a violation of the constitution," he said, stressing the importance of cooperation from the government, administration, and law enforcement.
He also underscored the need for a neutral caretaker government during elections, stating that the Election Commission alone cannot guarantee a fair election without political parties fulfilling their responsibilities. Media, civil society, and other stakeholders must also play their roles effectively.
Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder further said that holding fair and impartial elections requires political consensus and a change in political culture. While the Election Reform Commission will work with integrity and professionalism, the authority to appoint election commissioners lies with the interim government, not the reform commission.
BNP Vice Chairman Asaduzzaman Ripon said reforms are necessary to ensure that people remain the true sovereign of the republic. He emphasized the need to amend the Election Commission appointment laws and called for re-elections in constituencies where candidates run unopposed.
BNP Chairperson's Advisor Advocate Moazzem Hossain Alal stressed that courts should not accept election-related writs without consulting the EC during the election period.
Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud criticized the current election system, advocating for proportional representation and the permanent integration of a caretaker government model.
He argued that elections under caretaker governments have historically been more credible and demanded the abolition of electronic voting machines (EVMs).
The Jamaat leader also opined that civil servants should be barred from contesting elections within three years of leaving service. Furthermore, he questioned the need for political symbols and nominations in local elections and called for shifting the National ID management to the EC.
Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur criticized the participation of Jatiya Party representatives in the seminar, arguing that the 14-party alliance should not attend if fair elections are expected.
He also called for an impartial administration and proposed drafting a new constitution. Nur supported proportional representation, stating that it should not pose problems for any group.
AB Party Member Secretary Mojibur Rahman Monju observed that candidates often try to influence presiding officers and focus excessively on who holds administrative positions like deputy commissioners and superintendents of police during elections.
Jatiya Party Presidium member Shamim Haider Patwary emphasized that election reform should be the primary responsibility of the interim government.
He also stressed the importance of establishing a proportional representation system.
Ganasanghati Andolon's Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki argued that the exact operational framework for the EC remains unclear.
He lamented the lack of a peaceful transition of power in Bangladesh and criticized political parties for prioritizing absolute power over fair elections. He recommended that at least three to five elections should be held under interim governments and that the EC must function as an independent constitutional body. Saki also advocated for the inclusion of a "No Vote" option in ballots and suggested amending the Representation of the People Order to make it easier for political parties to register.
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince stressed that electoral reforms cannot proceed without consultations with political parties.
He suggested that the interim government should handle essential election preparations, while broader reforms should be implemented by the elected government.
He added that a decision must be made on whether the caretaker government system should become a permanent feature of the political landscape.
END/SZA
