Some eminent citizens of the country on Tuesday suggested ensuring free and fair voting rights of the people of the country, mainly women and people from minority groups.
They also proposed to the Election Commission (EC) authorities to bring the administrations and law-enforcement agencies under the total control of the EC during the election period.
The eminent citizens came up with the proposals and suggestions at a dialogue with the EC authorities held at the EC Headquarters in the capital’s Agargaon on Tuesday.
The EC authorities organized the dialogue process with the representatives of the civil society as part of a move of preparing a ‘Road Map’ in view of holding the next 12th Parliamentary election free and fair.
Earlier on March 13, the EC authorities held another dialogue with the academicians of the country for the same reason.
According to sources, during the dialogue process, the prominent personnel advised the EC authorities to work for the country with dedication and courage.
Ganoswashta Kendra founder Dr Zafarullah Chowdhury, CPD fellow Dr Debopriya Bhatyachariya, TIB Executive Director Ifhtekharuzzaman, former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumder, former Bangladesh Bank governor Faras Uddin Ahmed, former University Grant Commission Chairman Nazrul Islam, Khushi Kabir, Sanjeeb Drong, Rubayet Ferdous, Abdul Latif Mandal, Mohiuddin Ahmed, Sinha M Sayeed, Mostafizur Rahman, Abu Alam, Shahid Khan, Shaheen Anam, Zahirul Alam and Professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman, among others, took part in the dialogue.
Chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal, EC member Rasheda Sultana, Md Alamgir and Ahsan Habib Khan and EC Secretary Md Humayun Kabir were also present at the dialogue.
At the end of the dialogue, CEC Kazi Habibul Awal told the media that they listened to the suggestions and the proposals made by the prominent personnel.
“We will take proper measures through reviewing all the proposals and suggestions”, said the CEC.
It should be mentioned that the tenure of the past EC led by KM Nurul Huda was ended on February 14. Meanwhile, the government formed a six-member search committee, which had recommended 10 names for the posts of the Chief Election Commissioner and four other EC members.
Later, the President of the state, M Abdul Hamid appointed Kazi Habibul Awal as the CEC and while former district and sessions judge Rashida Sultana, Brig Gen (retd) Md Ahsan Habib Khan, former EC secretary Md Alamgir and former senior secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division Anisur Rahman were appointed as the EC members. The newly appointed EC body led by Kazi Habibul Awal took oath on February 27.