Various parties except BNP want to vote in proportional representation system
In a seminar in Dhaka, representatives of various political parties, except BNP, gave their opinion in favor of electing in numerical or proportional representation system. However, almost all of them have agreed on bringing back caretaker government system as electoral system.
Representatives and experts of various parties including BNP participated in a seminar titled ‘How do we want to reform the electoral system?’ on Saturday. The Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED), an organization of journalists working in the Election Commission, organized the seminar at Sirdap Auditorium in the capital.
In the seminar, the former election commissioner and advisor to the textile and jute ministry of the interim government, M Sakhawat Hossain mentioned the importance of forming the election commission. He also made some suggestions. He said the process can have three steps. In this, two names are finalized through the government and opposition parties in the parliament, which can be sent to the president. The President will appoint from there.
Sakhawat Hossain also suggested that during the elections, the reporting of some ministries should be handed over to the Election Commission, if a person has not been in a party for three years, he should not be nominated as a candidate, the selection of candidates through Trinamool leaders, the election of reserved women’s seats by direct vote in the numerical proportional representation system, monitoring the expenses of the candidates. Provision can be made to keep.
Badiul Alam Majumdar, head of Electoral System Reform Commission, thinks that elections are not a matter of one day. It is a long process. This whole process should be fair, impartial and acceptable. Election commission, government as well as administration and police, political parties, voters, media—all roles are important for fair elections. He also said that if everyone does not perform their duties properly, even the strongest Election Commission will not be able to conduct fair and acceptable elections.
Badiul Alam Majumdar commented that political consensus is also very important for fair elections. Highlighting the past experience, he said, no one kept their word, all parties are guilty of this. The political culture needs to change. He noted that there was a consensus on caretaker government. Later it was canceled unilaterally. The system was struck down as unconstitutional and unfair.
Badiul Alam Majumder said about the proportional representation system, it is not the jurisdiction of the Election Commission System Reform Commission. It is a matter of constitution. If the Constitution Reform Commission decides on this, then their commission will make some recommendations.
In the seminar, Prothom Alo joint editor Sohrab Hasan said, when those who come to power, they arrange everything according to themselves. It was not possible to reach a political consensus on the question of electoral system. Rather, there is a kind of distrust towards the parties. The country’s political leadership has not yet gone to the point where they will vote fairly under a party government. So it is important to have a caretaker government. He commented that there are also questions about the law on the appointment of election commissioners. He said that a decision should be taken after discussing with everyone whether the vote will be based on the existing system or the proportional representation system.
BNP Vice Chairman Asaduzzaman Ripon, who participated in the seminar, gave his opinion in favor of bringing back the caretaker government system. He said that the caretaker government system should remain for the next 100 years. The elections of 1991, 1996 and 2001 were good.
Ruhin Hossain, general secretary of the left-wing party CPB, said that the proportional representation system is necessary to replace the existing system of electing members of parliament. Apart from this, he proposed dissolution of parliament, bicameral parliament, provision of ‘no’ vote before elections. Addressing the interim government, the CPB leader said that it is necessary to clearly state whether or not to speed up the path of free and fair elections.
Jonaid Saki, chief coordinator of mass solidarity movement, said that the structure of the constitution is dictatorial. Political parties also lack the sincerity to conduct fair elections. These two conditions need to change. Commenting on the need for institutional reforms, he also said that the next three to five elections should be held under the interim government.
AB Party member secretary Mojibur Rahman said, attention should be paid to superstitions rather than reforms. Candidates lobbied for appointment of preferred DC, SP. These laws cannot be prevented, they are a matter of psychology.
Taking part in the seminar, Jamaat-e-Islami working council member Shafiqul Islam Masood demanded the introduction of numerical proportional representation system, permanent caretaker government system, cancellation of political party registration system, non-partisan local government elections.
Gana Odhikar Parishad president Nurul Haque Noor said that BNP, Jamaat are deprived and crushed in the administration. But the dominance of BNP-Jamaat in the government including the administration will not be allowed. He questioned how there will be an impartial election if a political party dominates here. He also demanded to abrogate the constitution and draft a new constitution.
In the seminar chaired by RFED President Ekramul Haque, advisor to BNP Chairperson Moazzem Hossain, Jatiya Party Presidium Member Shamim Haider Patwari, National Citizen Committee Member Arifur Rahman, RFED General Secretary Humayun Kabir among others spoke.