Consensus of all parties a must to form next EC, Khaleda places 13-point proposal

With a call for forming the next Election Commission on the basis of "consensus" among all political parties, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on 18 November rolled out a 13-point proposal for its formation.

The former premier said she would unveil a framework for a neutral polls-time government at an appropriate time, as only an impartial Election Commission is not enough for holding a free and fair election.

In her 13-point proposal, the BNP chief proposed bringing some amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO). The proposals include reinstatement of the clause that defines "the Defence Services of Bangladesh” as “a law enforcement agency” along with the other forces.

Khaleda also focused on strengthening the EC, and stressed the need for vesting magisterial power in EC officials, appointing election observers, delimitating constituencies and updating the voter list.

The search committee would be comprised of five members, and its convener can be a retired chief justice (according to the order of seniority), who never held any office of profit of the government, Khaleda explained. The other committee members could be picked from retired judges of the Supreme Court or retired secretaries, or renowned educationists. A senior woman may also be included in the committee, according to the proposal.

Senior leaders of the BNP and its alliance partners, and diplomats from 10 countries, including the USA, the UK, Russia and Sri Lanka, were present at the press conference.