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BIF, JUIB propose President to enact law, empower EC


By BSS
Published : 05 Jan 2022 10:50 PM | Updated : 05 Jan 2022 10:50 PM

Bangladesh Islami Front (BIF) and Jamiat Ulema-E-Islam Bangladesh (JUIB), during its dialogue with President M Abdul Hamid, on Wednesday separately proposed for enactment of time befitting law and empowering the Election Commission (EC) during the polls-time.

These two Islamic parties sought the President to enact a new law, hand over the charges of home, public administration and defense ministries during the election-time government as they believe it would be helpful to hold a free, fair and credible poll.

Later in the regular briefing after the dialogue, President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin briefed the newsmen.

He said on the 10th day of the ongoing dialogue, a six-member BIF delegation led by its chairman Maulana A A Mannan and secretary general Maulana M A Matin placed the proposals while a seven-member delegation led by Maulana Abdur Rab Yousufi, Vice-President of JUIB, a former partner of BNP-led 20 party alliance, gave some proposals to the President.

However, total 15-party sat for the dialogue with the President till date while three parties -- Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) and Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB) -- refused to join it.

Welcoming the leaders at Bangabhaban, the President said the formation of an acceptable election commission as well as the cooperation of all concerned, including political parties, is a must to ensure a free, fair and credible election. The head of the state called upon the country's political parties to come forward to motivate the people in this process for the betterment of the country and its people.

President's Office Secretary Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin and Secretary (Attachment) Md Wahidul Islam Khan were present there.

The Bangabhaban spokesman said the President has invited 10 more political parties, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), for the dialogue over the formation of an independent, neutral and credible EC. On December 20, the first day of the ongoing dialogue with the political parties, the President began the talks with the Jatiya Party, main opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament).

Today's talks will be held with the Gano Front at 6 pm and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at 7 pm.

Dialogue with Krishak Sramik Janata League will be held on January 9 at 6 pm and Bangladesh Muslim League (BML) at 7 pm on that day.

Talks with the Jatiya Party (JP) will be held on January 10 at 6 pm while with Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) will be held at 7 pm.

According to the schedule of dialogue, the President will hold talks with the Islami Front Bangladesh at 6 pm on January 11 (Tuesday) and with the Bangladesh National Awami Party (Bangladesh NAP) at 7 pm on the same day.

The talks with the BNP has been fixed at 4 pm on January 12 (Wednesday) and the National Peoples' Party (NPP) at 6pm on the day. No date has yet been set for talks with other political parties. Earlier, a dialogue was held with the participation of political parties ahead of the ninth, tenth and eleventh parliamentary elections.

The President has been given the power to appoint CECs and no more than four Election Commissioners. In the last few terms, the President has formed the Election Commission on the basis of the recommendations of the Search Committee.

The current EC's five-year tenure will end on February 14 next year. During this period, the President will form a new EC, under which the twelfth parliamentary polls will be held.