[🇧🇩] Forming Election Commission/Conducting Elections

[Saif]

Election Commission must pave the way for fair polls

The electoral process finally begins amid huge expectations

www.thedailystar.net

Election Commission must pave the way for fair polls
The electoral process finally begins amid huge expectations

VISUAL: STAR

We welcome the formation of the new Election Commission headed by former health and energy secretary AMM Nasir Uddin. With this, the "train to the election"—as termed by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus—has indeed started rolling. While this is just the first step in what promises to be a lengthy journey, it is a momentous one for a nation emerging from the long shadow of fascism. The announcement about the five-member commission, which will be sworn in on Sunday, seemed imminent following the chief adviser's address marking 100 days of the interim government. In the coming days, this moment will serve as a reference point for what follows, and we hope it will be for all the right reasons.

One doesn't need reminding of the immense expectations and challenges facing the new commission. The stakes are high, especially after more than 15 years of autocratic rule by the Awami League regime that systematically disenfranchised citizens, but also because of the enormous sacrifices that went into ousting it. During the July-August uprising, around 1,500 people lost their lives, while nearly 20,000 were injured, many critically. Their demand for democratic rights free from discrimination—underpinned by a fair and credible election—is a mandate that the commission must fulfil. There is optimism that it will not repeat the mistakes of its predecessors, but it must remain vigilant at all times given today's polarised sociopolitical climate.

An election alone will not solve all our problems, however. This is why the chief adviser's emphasis on implementing some essential reforms prior to the election, leaving the rest to a democratically elected government, resonates so strongly. For now, we must keep our eyes on the process—the journey rather than the destination—and that, for the Election Commission, begins with laying down the tracks for necessary electoral reforms. BNP and other parties are calling for an election roadmap which will be issued once decisions on the electoral reforms are made. A commission is currently working on that, and will likely submit its reports between December and January. There is a democratic process in place to finalise the agenda, which we hope will lead to an electoral framework that is not only fair but also perceived as such by all political parties and the public alike.

We look to the Election Commission to ensure that the upcoming election, whenever it is held, genuinely reflects the will of the people. Anything less would—to echo the chief election commissioner—betray the sacrifices of all those who gave their lives in the mass uprising. The authorities must not fail them.​

 

[Saif]

New Election Commission formed with former secy AMM Nasir Uddin as CEC

President Mohammed Shahabuddin also appointed four commissioners

www.thedailystar.net

New Election Commission formed with former secy AMM Nasir Uddin as CEC

A new election commission has been formed, headed by former secretary the Ministry of Health and Family Planning AMM Nasir Uddin.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin also appointed four commissioners — retired additional secretary Anwarul Islam Sarkar, retired district and sessions judge Abdur Rahmanel Masud, retired joint secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmed, and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah.

The Cabinet Division has issued a gazette notification in this regard.

On October 29, the interim government formed a six-member search committee to recommend the names of the new chief election Commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners to the president for appointment.

Nasir was also former information and energy secretary and member of Planning Commission.

BNP and several others parties proposed Nasir and former secretary Shafiqul Islam as the CEC to the search committee.

On September 5, the immediate past Election Commission, led by Kazi Habibul Awal, resigned midway through its five-year tenure. This commission had been sworn in on February 27, 2022.

They resigned one month after Awami League government was ousted on August 5 following a student-led uprising.

The EC has been vacant for more than two and half months, the longest period of vacancy in the history of Bangladesh.​

 

[Saif]

Newly appointed CEC, commissioners likely to take oath Sunday

The newly appointed chief election commissioner AMM Md Nasir Uddin and four other commissioners are likely to take oaths on Sunday.

www.newagebd.net

Newly appointed CEC, commissioners likely to take oath Sunday
Staff Correspondent 22 November, 2024, 12:58

New CEC AMM Md Nasir Uddin | Collected photo

The newly appointed chief election commissioner AMM Md Nasir Uddin and four other commissioners are likely to take oaths on Sunday.

The oath-taking ceremony is likely to be held at 1:30pm on Sunday, said Shafiqul Islam, the public relations officer of the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed is scheduled to administer the swearing-in ceremony, he added.

The other four commissioners are former additional secretary Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, former district and sessions judge Abdur Rahmanel Masud, former joint secretary Tahmida Ahmed, and retired brigadier general Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah.

President Muhammed Shahabuddin on Thursday appointed the CEC and four other election commissioners, a day after the EC search committee submitted the shortlist containing 10 names for those posts.

The new Election Commission tasked with the holding of the 13th parliamentary elections has been constituted on the basis of the recommendations of a six-member search committee.

The government, on October 29, formed the search committee led by Appellate Division judge, Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury.

On September 5, the then CEC Kazi Habibul Awal and all the four election commissioners – Ahsan Habib Khan, Rashida Sultana, Md Alamgir, and Anisur Rahman –resigned.

Their resignation came a month after the fall of the Awami League regime amid an unprecedented student-people uprising.

On August 6, the president dissolved the 12th parliament, which was formed through the January 7 one-sided election conducted by the Awal-led election commission.​

 

[Saif]

61pc want polls within a year, 65.9pc prefer reforms first

More than three out of every five (61.1 percent) Bangladeshis said they wanted elections within a year, while almost 66 percent said they wanted necessary reforms before the elections, as per a survey by the Voice of America’s Bangla service.

www.thedailystar.net

61pc want polls within a year, 65.9pc prefer reforms first
Reveals VOA survey

More than three out of every five (61.1 percent) Bangladeshis said they wanted elections within a year, while almost 66 percent said they wanted necessary reforms before the elections, as per a survey by the Voice of America's Bangla service.

Most of the respondents who prioritised reforms before elections were lenient with the election deadline, but some of them said they still prefer elections within a year, reports UNB citing VoA.

The survey was conducted across Bangladesh and included 1,000 participants during October 13-27.

Diverse opinions on election timing

While a majority prefer elections within a year, 31.9 percent favour elections only after urgent electoral reforms are implemented.

Meanwhile, 18.7 percent prefer elections within two and three years, and 8.6 percent believe polls should happen within 18 months. A minority of 5.8 percent want the elections postponed for four years or more.

Interestingly, 4.6 percent respondents did not have a specific preference for an election deadline, while 1.1 percent declined to answer.

The survey highlighted slight variations in preferences between urban and rural populations, with 60.4 percent urban respondents and 61.4 percent rural participants supporting elections within a year.

Gender differences were also evident, as 65 percent women preferred elections within a year compared to 57.3 percent men.

Support for comprehensive reforms

A vast majority (65.9 percent) of respondents believe all necessary reforms identified by the interim government should be completed before the election.

Among these reforms, key areas of focus include election commission (for 96.5 percent), police (for 92.3 percent), judicial (for 95.3 percent), economic sector (for 96.4 percent), and constitutional reforms (for 92.5 percent).

Only 31.9 percent respondents supported elections after addressing urgent election-related reforms.

Perception of the interim government's performance

The survey assessed public perception of the Yunus-led interim government. It found that 58.4 percent believe the interim government was performing better than its predecessor, while 40.5 percent think it is performing similar or worse.

Among those critical of the incumbent government, 20.4 percent consider its governance worse and 20.1 percent think it is similar to the Awami League administration.

Urban residents (61.9 percent) and men (62 percent) were more likely to rate the interim government's performance favourably than their rural counterparts (57.3 percent) and women (54.8 percent).

Public safety and law enforcement

Regarding law and order, 63.2 percent said the interim government is managing security better than AL. However, opinions on personal safety were evenly divided with 49.8 percent saying they felt safer under the interim government. But 49.9 percent believed their safety had either declined or remained the same.

It is worth noting that the survey has a margin of error of 3.1 percent. Additionally, as the respondents provided their opinions nearly a month ago, the results may differ if the survey were conducted today.​

 

[Saif]

How the new election commission will handle political parties

There was a meeting between the election system reform commission and editors and senior journalists on Thursday. As soon as I went to the election commission building in the morning, I encountered a blockade on Rokeya Sarani.

en.prothomalo.com

How the new election commission will handle political parties
Sohrab Hassan
Updated: 23 Nov 2024, 22: 28

There was a meeting between the election system reform commission and editors and senior journalists on Thursday. As soon as I went to the election commission building in the morning, I encountered a blockade on Rokeya Sarani. Following the order to ban battery-run rickshaws by the High Court in three days, the drivers had blocked the road. Their argument was that if their vehicles were suddenly banned without providing alternative work options, they would starve to death.

Although the government has undertaken reform initiatives in various state affairs including the electoral system, it seems it is not thinking about these working people and their employment. The government has declared that battery-run rickshaws will not be allowed on main roads but can still operate in alleys. At the same time, they are saying they won't be allowed anywhere at all. In Dhaka, there are at least 600,000 battery-powered rickshaws. Many people have bought these rickshaws on loans. If they can no longer operate their rickshaws, how will they repay their loans?

I heard a government official on TV saying, "After the court's order, we have nothing to do." I want to remind him not to show excuses by citing the court orders every time. The court also declared the government's decision to abolish the Awami League’s job quotas in public service illegal. I’m sure he is aware of what happened afterward. The point is, the government cannot ban battery-operated rickshaws without offering alternative means of income for the drivers. There is no law that overrides the hunger of the people.

Badiul Alam Majumdar, the head of the election system reform commission, has been working on elections for three decades. When he campaigned for honest and competent candidates during the BNP era, the ruling party labeled him as an ally of the Awami League. And when he criticised the three controversial elections held under the Awami League, they called him an 'enemy of the people.' This is our political culture.

During the discussions with the commission, the role of the administration and law enforcement in elections, the character of elected governments and political parties, and other related issues were raised. Power-hungry politicians are not used to seeing themselves outside of power. It is often claimed that four elections were fair under the caretaker government system (1991, 1996, 2001, 2008). However, the defeated parties did not accept the people's verdict and searched for subtle and gross irregularities in those elections. In the last three elections, people were not even able to vote.

The ruling party has always tried to monopolize everything. On the other hand, the opposition party has sought liberation through boycotting parliament and street movements. As a result, in the last 53 years, the democratic system has failed to sustain itself. Every elected government has become authoritarian—some to a lesser degree, others to a greater extent.

Thus, the problem is not just with elections but with the political culture itself. Everyone in the discussion with the commission agreed that the caretaker system must be reinstated for fair elections. The upcoming 13th parliamentary elections will take place under the current interim government. However, to hold future elections under a caretaker government, new laws must be passed, and this responsibility should be taken on by the next elected government.

The topic of inclusive elections was also discussed. No one wants to see elections like the ones held under Sheikh Hasina's rule, where the opposition was excluded from the electoral process.

The discussants suggested bringing all ministries involved in elections, such as the home ministry and the public administration ministry under the election commission’s control during elections. Many countries have examples of this system. It remains to be seen whether the new commission can implement this.

They also suggested taking action against parties and individuals who violate the code of conduct before the election and, if necessary, canceling their candidature. Any government officials who engage in irregularities or corruption during elections should be punished.

In the 2008 elections, the commission introduced a 'no' vote option, but the Awami League government abolished it. Now, most journalists and commission members are calling for the reintroduction of the 'no' vote.
Previously, police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), alongside the armed forces, were involved in maintaining law and order. The Awami League changed the law to keep them as auxiliary forces, but it is crucial to revert to the old system. Journalists also emphasized that their professional duties should not be obstructed under any circumstances.

During the discussion with the commission, news came in that a new election commission had been formed, with former secretary AMM Nasir Uddin as its head. In his immediate response, he vowed to ensure people's voting rights, stating, "Since 2014, people have been unable to vote. Many people lost their lives during the July-August protests, and the main issue of that movement was securing voting rights. It is impossible to betray the blood of so many people."

The new commission faces significant challenges, but in the changed circumstances, they might find a more favourable environment. The Election System Reform Commission is expected to make their work easier. This will be the first national election under a non-partisan government since 2008. The interim government will not vote itself, so they will not exert pressure on the administration, law enforcement, or other responsible officials.

However, the new commission will face pressure from rival political parties. Everyone will try to align the commission with their own interests. Parties that were once allies in the anti-Awami League-government movement will now compete in the elections. This will likely create some instability in the electoral campaign, which the election commission must manage effectively.

In the last three elections, the commission was fully subservient to the ruling party. The commission worked according to the government’s wishes, and even when some members wanted to act according to their conscience, they ultimately failed. In some cases, where the voting was so low that people could see an empty polling field, the results showed 40 per cent or more voter turnout.

Restoring the trust of voters will be a difficult task for the new commission. It is hoped that the interim government and the election commission will work together to ensure a free and fair election. However, gaining the trust of political leaders and maintaining balance among rival parties will not be easy.

The tendency of public administration and law enforcement will lean in whichever direction the political wind blows. If it becomes clear before the election who will win, then the entire state apparatus, including the administration and police, may work in their favour.

The new chief election commissioner has promised to secure people's voting rights, but we believe this will only be possible if the election is competitive and contested. Alongside voting rights, there must also be open opportunities for choosing candidates.

*Sohrab Hassan is the joint editor at Prothom Alo and a poet​

 

[Saif]

Acceptable polls after reforms: CEC

Newly sworn-in chief election commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday vowed to organise a free, fair, impartial and acceptable election soon after completing some reforms.

www.newagebd.net

Acceptable polls after reforms: CEC
Staff Correspondent 24 November, 2024, 16:46

Chief election commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin. | UNB Photo

Newly sworn-in chief election commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday vowed to organise a free, fair, impartial and acceptable election soon after completing some reforms.

The pledge came in response to questions from journalists following the oath taking ceremony of the chief election commissioner and four election commissioners at the Judges’ Lounge of the Supreme Court on the day.

‘I see this responsibility as a great opportunity in my life. The people of the country are disenfranchised. They fought hard for a free and fair election. Many movements have taken place over the years and many have given blood. I am committed to giving them a free, fair and acceptable election and I will do my best to do so,’ he said.

‘I am confident that I can do it. I have a very strong team in the Election Commission. We will give this nation a beautiful election with the cooperation from the country’s people and political parties,’ he said.

In answer to the question whether the election would be held before the reforms, he said, ‘Reform is an ongoing process, but if we want to hold elections, some necessary reforms will be needed.’

‘If we want to hold elections, we have to include the young generation, who are looking forward to vote year after year, in our voter list. Some reforms are also necessary, which are hopeful to carry out very soon as a reform commission is already working,’ he added.

Stating that the election would be organised with participation from the political parties, he said, ‘You [people and political parties] rest assured. Our intentions are fair and we want the political parties which have been fighting for 15–16 years to get back the right to vote with us. We will cooperate in implementing their demand. We are committed to the nation.’

When asked how long it would take to carry out reforms and organise elections, he said, ‘We cannot say anything now with the timing. First I have to understand the responsibilities.’

Earlier, newly-appointed CEC Nasir Uddin and four election commissioners Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Begum Tahmida Ahmad, and former brigadier general Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah took oath at the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed administered the oath of office to the chief election commissioner and election commissioners, while Supreme Court registrar general Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan conducted the function.

Judges of the Appellate Division, members of the Election Commission Search Committee, officials of the Election Commission and employees of the Supreme Court Registrar General office, among others, were present.

On November 21, president Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed former secretary Nasir Uddin as the new CEC and four others as election commissioners.

The Cabinet Division issued separate gazette notifications to this end on that day.

The new Election Commission has been constituted on the basis of the recommendations of the six-member search committee.

Earlier on September 5, then chief election commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal and all four election commissioners, Ahsan Habib Khan, Rashida Sultana, Md Alamgir and Anisur Rahman, resigned.

Their resignation came a month after Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled to India on August 5 amid an unprecedented student-people uprising, ending the 15-year Awami League regime.

On August 6, the president dissolved the 12th parliament which was formed through the January 7 one-sided election conducted by the Awal-led election commission.

Before the resignation, Awal at a press briefing said that they were resigning from their posts due to the country’s changed scenario.

He said that holding an election was a very difficult task, and all the blames or responsibilities for an unacceptable election had always been heaped upon solely on the Election Commission.

The Awal commission organised the 12th parliamentary polls amid a large-scale boycott by opposition parties and voters. Drawing harsh criticisms, the polls were called a ‘dummy election’ as Awami League’s officially announced candidates contested against own party people who stood as independent candidates in most constituencies.​

 

[Saif]

Everyone has agreed on caretaker government system, says Badiul

All agreed on caretaker govt system: Badiul The Electoral Reform Commission chief Badiul Alam Majumdar has hinted at reviving the caretaker government system, which was abolished a decade ago. After a meeting with representatives from civil society on Sunday, he said: “What is clear from th

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Everyone has agreed on caretaker government system, says Badiul
bdnews24.com
Published :
Nov 24, 2024 22:40
Updated :
Nov 24, 2024 22:40

All agreed on caretaker govt system: Badiul

The Electoral Reform Commission chief Badiul Alam Majumdar has hinted at reviving the caretaker government system, which was abolished a decade ago.

After a meeting with representatives from civil society on Sunday, he said: “What is clear from this discussion is that everyone has agreed on the caretaker government system. The Election Commission must be made independent, strengthened, and particularly given financial autonomy.”

Badiul added, “The Election Commission must become another government under the government – in this way, they will become stronger.”

In 1996, the BNP government, under pressure from opposition movements led by the Awami League, passed the 13th constitutional amendment in parliament, establishing the caretaker government system.

Later, when the Awami League returned to power, the hearing of the 13th Amendment case began in the Appellate Division on Mar 1, 2010. In the hearing, the top eight lawyers also presented arguments as amici curiae, in addition to the appellant and the state party.

They expressed support for maintaining the caretaker government system. Even the then attorney general Mahbubey Alam voiced his support for it.

On May 10, 2011, a full bench of seven judges in the Appellate Division, based on a majority opinion, annulled the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. At the time, the chief justice was ABM Khairul Haque.

Before the full verdict was published, the 15th Amendment to the Constitution was passed in the parliament on Jun 30, 2011, and the president approved it on Jul 3.

This amendment abolished the caretaker government system and granted constitutional recognition to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation.

After the fall of the Awami League government, Badiul, along with four others, filed a writ petition in August seeking the repeal of the 15th Amendment.

In the same month, Badiul and the other petitioners also filed a review petition with the Appellate Division, seeking a reconsideration of the verdict that had annulled the 13th Amendment. Later, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also submitted a similar petition.

On Oct 3, the interim government formed an eight-strong reform commission, headed by Badiul, the general secretary of Shushasoner Jonno Nagorik, or SHUJAN, with the aim of reforming the existing electoral system. The commission is expected to submit its recommendations within 90 days.

“The past election commissions, which conducted disgraceful or rigged elections, broke their oath and violated the Constitution. Everyone has called for holding them accountable,” Badiul said at the Election Commission building on Sunday.

He added, “The people who attended [on Sunday] are highly experienced researchers. We had an open discussion with them.”

Badiul said, “All those who came from civil society have advocated for the reintroduction of the ‘no’ vote provision. They have called for the establishment of democracy within political parties. Without democracy within political parties, democracy cannot be achieved in the country.”

“There was also a discussion on the presidential election. The idea of strengthening the position of the president was also raised,” he concluded.​

 

[Saif]

Citizens’ Committee rejects new Election Commission

The National Citizens’ Committee on Friday rejected the newly formed Election Commission, terming its formation as 'akin to the betrayal with the spirit of the mass uprising'. The formation of this commission is 'akin to the betrayal with the spirit of the mass uprising' because it was done

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Citizens’ Committee rejects new Election Commission
FE Online Desk
Published :
Nov 24, 2024 23:11
Updated :
Nov 24, 2024 23:11

The National Citizens’ Committee on Friday rejected the newly formed Election Commission, terming its formation as 'akin to the betrayal with the spirit of the mass uprising'.

The formation of this commission is 'akin to the betrayal with the spirit of the mass uprising' because it was done under a law enacted during the ousted Awami League government, the committee said at a press conference at its Rupayan Trade Centre office in Dhaka.

It added that the interim government had constituted the new Election Commission by yielding to the pressure from political parties.

Earlier Friday, the newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, a retired secretary, and four commissioners took oath.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin had appointed them a day earlier, acting on recommendations from the Search Committee.​

 

[Saif]

Election would be held once reform works become visible: Mahfuj Alam

The interim government’s adviser, Mahfuj Alam, said on Thursday the much-desired national election would be held once the reform works become visible. He made remarks while responding to a question at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the evening. Environment, Forest and Cl

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Election would be held once reform works become visible: Mahfuj Alam
UNB
Published :
Nov 28, 2024 21:23
Updated :
Nov 28, 2024 21:23

The interim government’s adviser, Mahfuj Alam, said on Thursday the much-desired national election would be held once the reform works become visible.

He made remarks while responding to a question at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the evening.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, who was present at the briefing, said, the election is the ultimate goal and the government wants the election after necessary reforms as soon as possible.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was also present.

Rizwana Hasan said there has been no discussion at the meeting of the Council of Advisers regarding banning any organisation as they differentiate the responsibility of an organisation and an individual.​

 

[Saif]

How election can be a tool of accountability

Bangladesh's electoral system must be reformed carefully.

www.thedailystar.net

How election can be a tool of accountability

FILE VISUAL: ALIZA RAHMAN

The purpose of a "free" and "fair" election is to ensure accountability of those participating in it. In the past, parties in Bangladesh won elections with around one-third of the votes cast, while a third of the constituencies were won with around 30 percent of the votes cast. The problem lies in putting the emphasis on the election, not its purpose. Hence, the electoral system must be reformed carefully.

Among the three commonly used methods of determining the outcomes of legislative elections—plurality, majority, and proportional representation—the third one seems to be most effective. A study of elections in Muslim-majority countries reveal that the re-democratisation in Indonesia has been peaceful and uninterrupted since 1997 because of the proportional representation system in its parliament; the parties must cooperate to get any bill passed, becoming a "check" on one another.

In a proportional representation voting system, votes are cast for the parties, either in an open or a closed list system. The voters can give preference to a particular candidate in the former system, but not in the latter. An individual or a party must get a minimum threshold of votes to enter the legislature (e.g. one percent for individuals, two to seven percent for a single party, 5-10 percent for a coalition of two registered parties, 15 percent for a coalition of three parties and above, etc).

Proportional representation has many benefits. With seats in the chamber and in the committees proportional to the votes, as evident in other countries, each party must cooperate for the future. Most importantly, because of the list system, especially when closed, only the best from all parties are likely to be elected. Furthermore, the best female candidates listed by all parties will have an equal chance to win (because the campaigns would be collective, not personal).

This system may also create women's equal access to the parliament. The laws in other countries require listing of women in the party list (even at the top at a defined percentage). Women's winning chances are doubly protected in a closed list system.

It may also prevent "one-person" parties from claiming to be "people's" parties or issuing threats against every government policy. In 2001, 77 percent of the total candidates got their deposit money forfeited for not getting the minimum 12.5 percent of votes. In fact, 27 political parties received fewer than 1,000 votes each. The minimum threshold requirement to enter the parliament in the proportional system would force the parties to join hands to prepare the list prioritising the candidates most likely to secure the maximum number of votes. It may also prevent over-representation and the loss of the voice of the unheard. It would also infuse voter enthusiasm because every vote would count, reducing the risk of polarisation or marginalisation and increasing cooperation, respect and a sense of national responsibility. It is also likely to curb the vote-rigging tendency because a few polling stations will not influence the outcome of one candidate.

A simple calculation shows that with the total numbers of votes polled, in a proportional system, the Awami League and BNP would have won 143 and 146 parliamentary seats (including the reserve seats) in 2001, and 182 and 123 seats (including the reserve seats) in 2008, respectively.

However, a reformed electoral system may bring the desired political effects only with an accountable, independent, and honest Election Commission that is adequately funded and staffed to regulate the political parties and election candidacy. A survey of dozens of constitutions shows that many countries, because of having political will and experience, have provisions that the constitution of a political party must have a time limit for executive positions (including the party presidency), and restrictions on directly inheriting party presidency (or senior executive positions). Moreover, a political party or group should not be able to participate in an election if it has been disrespectful to the country and its constitution, or has to leave the government under political compulsion (before completing its tenure in office).

Eligibility of election candidacy includes, among others, loyalty to and residency in the country, high moral standing, financial credibility, distance from criminal activity, and so on. Disqualification for election candidacy includes, among others, involvement in financial crime or in acts and ideas against the interest of the country, among others.

The reformed electoral system should focus on making the election beneficial to the voters, not the party, and the election candidacy laws should promote inclusion of the best persons in every party candidate list. Rule of law begins with laws, not arbitrary rules, and would save the government from making arbitrary decisions regarding the elections.

Dr Samiul Hasan is an academic with interests in human security issues in Muslim-majority countries.​

 

[Saif]

Election roadmap to thwart all conspiracies: BNP

Once the roadmap for the next national election is announced, no one would dare to conspire anymore against Bangladesh, BNP told the interim government on Wednesday. “We have told (the government) to implement a reform agenda very quickly and announce a roadmap for the election. If people ge

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Election roadmap to thwart all conspiracies: BNP
UNB
Published :
Dec 04, 2024 21:33
Updated :
Dec 04, 2024 21:33

Once the roadmap for the next national election is announced, no one would dare to conspire anymore against Bangladesh, BNP told the interim government on Wednesday.

“We have told (the government) to implement a reform agenda very quickly and announce a roadmap for the election. If people get the roadmap and become election-oriented, no one will dare to hatch conspiracies that you are seeing now,” said BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain.

He was talking to reporters after a meeting between Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and representatives from different political parties including BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.

Mosharraf said the responsibility of this interim government is to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty, and establish democracy.

He mentioned that everyone at the meeting said that they are unanimously against the conspiracies being hatched by the fallen government against the country from abroad.

“The fascist government was ousted through the July-August mass uprising. We all together—the students and people of this country—will also confront their conspiracies,” he said.

A five-member BNP delegation, led by Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, joined the meeting. The four others were Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.

Mosharraf said the chief adviser held talks with political parties to seek cooperation in protecting the existence of Bangladesh as different political and social issues are created here from a neighbouring country.​

 

[Saif]

BNP reveals 10-point proposal for electoral reforms

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Monday called for adopting the latest technology in the task to update the voter list, instead of the traditional door-to-door campaigning ahead of the 12th national parliament election...

www.newagebd.net

BNP reveals 10-point proposal for electoral reforms
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 09 December, 2024, 21:34

Representational image | Collected photo

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Monday called for adopting the latest technology in the task to update the voter list, instead of the traditional door-to-door campaigning ahead of the 12th national parliament election.

‘We want a true and accurate voter list to be prepared. Instead of a door-to-door campaign, we propose using computing, and AI [artificial intelligence] to do the job,’ BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan said at a press conference.

BNP’s committee on election commission arranged the press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office in Dhaka.

Moyeen said that if a computerised upgraded system could be adopted, it would help update the voter list accurately without wasting time. ‘A computerised system can easily identify when someone turns 18 and automatically remove the names of those who have passed away. There’s no need for a door-to-door campaign to update the voter list by checking all 18 crore people of Bangladesh.’

The BNP leader also presented a 10-point reform proposal, including amending the RPO, some rules in election management, revising the code of conduct for political parties and candidates, changes to the policy for the registration of political parties, upgrading the election observation policy, increasing the capacity of the election commission, and a separate electoral code of conduct for the media.

He said that they had already submitted those reform proposals to the government-formed election reform commission. ‘We prepared reform proposals aiming to create a level playing field so that people can truly cast their votes and elect their real representatives, not dummy or fake representatives.’

Another BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said that the government could arrange the national election quickly by implementing the proposals their party had made.

‘We have talked about strengthening the election commission, setting up an election secretariat, and giving them sufficient powers. We also proposed amending and reforming the existing laws... These do not require much time,’ he said.

BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed suggested that it should not take more than three or four months to arrange the election by carrying out the necessary reforms related to the election process.​

 

[Saif]

CA’s polls announcement: BNP seeks specifics, Jamaat okay to wait

BNP leaders welcomed Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus’s announcement on the timeline of national elections but urged a clear and actionable roadmap.

www.thedailystar.net

CA’s polls announcement: BNP seeks specifics, Jamaat okay to wait

BNP leaders welcomed Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus's announcement on the timeline of national elections but urged a clear and actionable roadmap.

While acknowledging the statement as a step forward, they said that vague ideas cannot replace a structured plan to ensure credible and participatory polls.

Speaking to The Daily Star, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, "What the chief adviser said about the timing of the election cannot be described as a roadmap. He [Yunus] has merely provided an idea of when the election might take place."

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami, in reaction, expressed conditional support for the timeline.

Jamaat's Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said, "Despite our initial reluctance regarding the delay, we will remain patient as long as the chief adviser honours his commitment to hold the elections.

"In that case, we are ready to cooperate with him," he told The Daily Star.

Salahuddin Ahmed, another BNP standing committee member, urged the interim government to unveil a specific roadmap, including the date.

The party's Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf said the sooner the election is held, the better it will be for the interim government and the people of the country.

After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, Prof Yunus delivered a total of five speeches, which BNP leaders criticised for lacking a clear election roadmap.

Some BNP leaders warned that delays could invite conspiracies and harm the election process.

"The country's economy is in a dire state and soaring commodity prices are suffocating people. Until an elected government is in place, these issues cannot be resolved," party's Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas told reporters after paying tribute to Ziaur Rahman on the occasion of Victory Day.

Attending a programme, BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince said, "Wasting time in the name of reforms will only create opportunities for domestic and foreign conspirators."

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Standing Committee member said, "Following Tarique Rahman's speech on Sunday, we are waiting for the government's response. Today, the chief adviser's speech provided an idea about the timing of the polls but did not specify a date or outline the process. Once our secretary general is fit, we will announce the party's stance."

Besides, in reaction to the chief adviser's speech, leaders of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, Communist Party of Bangladesh and Ganosamhati Andolon also said the announcement is an indication of progress, but it lacks clarity and details.

Rashed Khan, general secretary of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, said, "This is not a formal roadmap; it's merely a verbal timeframe addressed to the nation by the chief adviser today. It lacks a specific plan for the national election.

"In my opinion, this announcement seems more like a consolation statement for the political parties that have been demanding an election date or a concrete roadmap."

Ruhin Hossain Prince, general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, said, "In my view, it is a positive step. However, in his speech, he used terms like 'if,' 'but,' and 'maybe,' which failed to address the confusion surrounding the timing of the elections. At the very least, he could have announced a specific timeframe, such as a month, which was the expectation of the citizens. This expectation remained unfulfilled."

He further said, "...currently, we need only minimal reforms to conduct a national election. If they engage in discussions with political parties, it should be possible to hold a free and fair election by 2025, even after implementing necessary reforms."

The chief adviser and his advisory panel should take this route to eliminate all uncertainties, Ruhin added.

Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of the Ganosamhati Andolon, said, "Primarily, we welcome the indication given by the chief adviser. We expect them to hold discussions with stakeholders and present a more specific roadmap."

"Such discussions with political stakeholders could help finalise the election dates, outline required reforms, and establish a detailed plan. It would also contribute to achieving political stability.​

 

[Saif]

Chief adviser announces election timeline

Chief Adviser's Victory Day speech offers guidance on reforms and elections.

www.thedailystar.net

Chief adviser announces election timeline
All must cooperate to ensure timely reforms and fair elections

VISUAL: STAR

We congratulate Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on his timely, appropriate, and clear guidance to the nation during his Victory Day speech. At a time when questions were being raised about the interim government's reform plans and the holding of elections, his address was very well-thought-out.

Prof Yunus addressed the issue of inflation, noting how challenging it has been to tackle due to the actions of the previous regime during its 15-year tenure. As more details have emerged about the former regime's activities—including the vast amounts of wealth it laundered abroad—the fragile state of the economy has become increasingly apparent. He also underscored the importance of holding those responsible for the July-August killings accountable. While emphasising the need for justice, he stressed the importance of ensuring transparent and fair trials to avoid any doubts about the integrity of the justice process.

Regarding reforms, the chief adviser expressed optimism that various commissions would deliver their recommendations on time. He specifically updated the public on the Election Commission, which has already begun preparations for the next elections. Prof Yunus voiced his dismay over how countless young people were denied their voting rights in the past three elections. To address this, he highlighted the need for an accurate voter list to restore citizens' right to vote. Additionally, he announced plans to create a mechanism enabling Bangladeshis living abroad to participate in the elections—an initiative long discussed but never implemented.

Prof Yunus urged all stakeholders to grant the government sufficient time to implement reforms aimed at improving the electoral process. He suggested that elections could be held by late 2025 if the voter list is accurately prepared with minimal reforms. However, if broader reforms requiring national consensus are pursued, the timeline could extend to the first half of 2026. Given that the Election Commission has already been empowered to prepare an accurate voter list and oversee election reforms, we recommend that elections be held by late 2025 or early 2026, as this aligns with the traditional election timeline in Bangladesh.

Ultimately, only an elected government can provide long-term stability for the nation. Prof Yunus has outlined a clear timeline for the next elections and has rightly emphasised that this timeline should be determined through political consensus. To that end, he announced the formation of a crucial commission, which he will personally lead, to foster consensus on reforms.

The Jamaat-e-Islami has already expressed its position regarding the timeline, and we hope other parties will also follow suit. We call on all political parties, citizens, and other stakeholders to cooperate with the interim government in reaching a political consensus on reforms and the election timeline, prioritising the nation's interests above all else.​

 

[Saif]

Election to boost business confidence: entrepreneurs

Business leaders, economists and professionals have emphasised that an elected government is essential for restoring confidence in the business community, stabilising law and order, and revitalising the business and investment climate.

www.thedailystar.net

Election to boost business confidence: entrepreneurs

Business leaders, economists and professionals have emphasised that an elected government is essential for restoring confidence in the business community, stabilising law and order, and revitalising the business and investment climate.

They also welcomed the speech delivered by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus yesterday as he assured that general elections would be held by the end of 2025 or in early 2026, subject to the completion of vital reforms.

Yunus made the much-anticipated announcement about when the interim government, which assumed power in early August, may organise national elections in his address to the nation on Victory Day.

Members of the business community also echoed that vital reforms in different sectors, which the interim government is currently working on, must be completed before holding the next general election.

Bangladesh's economy has been suffering from a slowdown in recent years, depressed by high inflation, reducing purchasing power, rising interest rates, and slowing private sector credit growth. Imports of capital machinery, another key indicator of private investment and job creation, have also been on the downturn.

In October, private sector credit growth slowed to 8.3 percent year-on-year from 10.09 percent. Meanwhile, letter of credit openings for capital machinery imports dipped 33 percent year-on-year to $582 million in the first four months of this fiscal year, according to the Bangladesh Bank data.

"It is better to hold the elections after completing at least the pressing reforms. Of course, free and fair elections will stabilise the law-and-order situation and help restore confidence to businessmen," said Faruque Hassan, a former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

Abdul Hai Sarker, chairman of the Bangladesh Association of Banks, said the chief adviser's targeted timeline for elections allowed room to implement important reforms.

Sarker said it is generally accepted that businessmen are not critical of the timeline, adding that the move would restore confidence to businessmen.

"The law-and-order situation will have to be controlled gradually. These tasks will be easier for an elected government," Sarker said.

Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, echoed Sarker's views.

"State affairs must be managed by an elected government," Hatem said.

However, staging the elections may require more time if reforms take longer to implement.

"I want to say: first reforms, then elections," Hatem told The Daily Star, adding that reforms were ignored during the past government's 15-year tenure.

Kamran T Rahman, president of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said businessmen want and expect the interim government to organise free and fair elections.

Mohammed Amirul Haque, managing director and chief executive officer of Premier Cement Mills, said the chief adviser's speech showed a way forward and was very prudent.

"A stable government is very much needed through the people's mandate," Haque said.

The growth of the economy can be ensured by holding free and fair elections, he said, adding that people expect the interim government to stage free and fair elections.

Zaved Akhtar, president of the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said a democratically elected government can foster a good business and investment environment in Bangladesh by implementing some reforms recommended by the interim government.

It also said it is looking forward to discernible improvements from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, National Board of Revenue and Bangladesh Bank in terms of policies, processes and systems.

"We believe this can bear fruits for the long term and have a far-reaching impact on fostering a positive investment climate in Bangladesh," he said, adding that longer-term investment and trade policies would also bolster business confidence.

Syed Mahbubur Rahman, a former chairman of the Association of Bankers, Bangladesh, said that it is difficult for an interim government to implement many reforms.

"Entrepreneurs may wait and see how the elections are going to be held. Afterwards, they may invest. The country's economy is going through a rough patch. The year 2025 is going to be a difficult year in terms of the economic situation," he said.

"The projected amount of revenue may not be collected, so the government will go to banks to borrow. Gross domestic product growth may also slow, so money flow to the banking sector may shrink. This may create a liquidity pressure in the banking sector."

Mustafizur Rahman, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, said economic uncertainty will be removed through fair elections while creating a sense of positivity.

"At the same time, the continuation of reforms is similarly important. It is expected that the next elected government will continue the reforms and implement those sincerely."

It is also expected that the political leaders will come to an agreement on the durability and certainty of reform activities, the economist also said.

"Otherwise, the establishment of good governance and transformation to democracy to create an inclusive society and free media might not be possible. The government will have to ensure the sustainability of the reforms," he added.

It is good that the chief adviser set a timeframe, he said, reasoning that it would give political parties the time to reach a consensus on different issues.

Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, chairman of Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), said major economic challenges continue to persist despite the interim government's measures.

"Vital reforms should be implemented on a priority basis and the next elected government should continue the reforms."

A democratic transition is very important, he said, adding that a fair voter list is also important.​