UNB, Dhaka ;
President of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury on Thursday said a neutral election-time government is the first necessity before a neutral Election Commission (EC) to ensure a fair election.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion, he also said there is no use of seeking the President’s role in forming a neutral and credible EC as he has no power to do so. “We’re talking too much about the formation of the Election Commission. We should review the election history. The elections that were overseen by neutral governments were fair. Their (neutral govts’) performance was in no way so bad. There was no objection against them unless some subtle rigging allegation,” the BDB chief said.
He further said, “That’s why a neutral government is the first necessity, not the Election Commission, for ensuring a fair and acceptable election.
An impartial election is not possible without a neutral government.” B Chowdhury also said their party will give a framework of an election-time neutral government next week.
Adarsha Nagorik Andolan organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club on the formation of the new Election Commission.
B Chowdhury, also a former president, said though the Constitution has given the President power to constitute the EC, he has little chance to exert it. “I know how much power the Constitution has given the President since I was in that office. The President can’t do anything without the orders or suggestions of the Prime Minister. So, how’ll the President meet our desires?” About his experience during a meeting with late President Zillur Rahman before the formation of the current EC, he said, “When I went to meet Zillur Rahman, he welcomed me and then asked me why did you come to me Mr Physician? I’m ashamed of… don’t you know my power?
The BDB chief said there is no point of seeking anything from the President as he has no power. “We shouldn’t put any pressure on the President (over EC formation).”
B Chowdhury made the remarks at a time when BNP is seeking an appointment of President Abdul Hamid to submit its chairperson’s 13-point proposal on forming the EC. On November 18, Khaleda Zia placed her party’s proposal to reconstitute the EC based on consensus of all political parties having representation in Parliaments since the country’s independence. The tenure of the current Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad-led Election Commission will expire in February next.
B Chowdhury, however, said BNP can meet the President as a senior citizen of the country. “If he invites, we’ll also go to meet him.” Voicing deep concern over the growing repression on Rohingya people in Myanmar, the BDB chief said the Bangladesh government can give Rohingya shelter on humanitarian ground.
“As Rohingyas resemble Bangladeshis, Muslims and deprived of voting rights, they’re brutally oppressed and drive out from their country. What a tragic matter that the neighbouring county is also not giving them shelter. How do we forget that our one crore people had taken shelter in India during the 1971 Liberation War?” he observed. What is the problem in sheltering Rohingyas at this time of danger if the UN gives assistance, he questioned, saying, “I draw the government’s attention to the matter.”
President of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury on Thursday said a neutral election-time government is the first necessity before a neutral Election Commission (EC) to ensure a fair election.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion, he also said there is no use of seeking the President’s role in forming a neutral and credible EC as he has no power to do so. “We’re talking too much about the formation of the Election Commission. We should review the election history. The elections that were overseen by neutral governments were fair. Their (neutral govts’) performance was in no way so bad. There was no objection against them unless some subtle rigging allegation,” the BDB chief said.
He further said, “That’s why a neutral government is the first necessity, not the Election Commission, for ensuring a fair and acceptable election.
An impartial election is not possible without a neutral government.” B Chowdhury also said their party will give a framework of an election-time neutral government next week.
Adarsha Nagorik Andolan organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club on the formation of the new Election Commission.
B Chowdhury, also a former president, said though the Constitution has given the President power to constitute the EC, he has little chance to exert it. “I know how much power the Constitution has given the President since I was in that office. The President can’t do anything without the orders or suggestions of the Prime Minister. So, how’ll the President meet our desires?” About his experience during a meeting with late President Zillur Rahman before the formation of the current EC, he said, “When I went to meet Zillur Rahman, he welcomed me and then asked me why did you come to me Mr Physician? I’m ashamed of… don’t you know my power?
The BDB chief said there is no point of seeking anything from the President as he has no power. “We shouldn’t put any pressure on the President (over EC formation).”
B Chowdhury made the remarks at a time when BNP is seeking an appointment of President Abdul Hamid to submit its chairperson’s 13-point proposal on forming the EC. On November 18, Khaleda Zia placed her party’s proposal to reconstitute the EC based on consensus of all political parties having representation in Parliaments since the country’s independence. The tenure of the current Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad-led Election Commission will expire in February next.
B Chowdhury, however, said BNP can meet the President as a senior citizen of the country. “If he invites, we’ll also go to meet him.” Voicing deep concern over the growing repression on Rohingya people in Myanmar, the BDB chief said the Bangladesh government can give Rohingya shelter on humanitarian ground.
“As Rohingyas resemble Bangladeshis, Muslims and deprived of voting rights, they’re brutally oppressed and drive out from their country. What a tragic matter that the neighbouring county is also not giving them shelter. How do we forget that our one crore people had taken shelter in India during the 1971 Liberation War?” he observed. What is the problem in sheltering Rohingyas at this time of danger if the UN gives assistance, he questioned, saying, “I draw the government’s attention to the matter.”
