Bangladesh President hopeful about formation of strong election commission

Dhaka [Bangladesh], Dec. 19 (ANI): Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid has expressed his hope for the formation of a strong Election Commission through talks with political parties. He began a dialogue process for the formation of the next Election Commission which will oversee the 2019 general elections through a discussion with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). "I think today's discussion and your well-thought-out opinions will play an important role in the formation of a strong Election Commission," the Daily Star quoted the President, as saying to an 11-member BNP delegation led by party chief Khaleda Zia. He said any dialogue opens up multiple paths to resolving a problem. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia presented her party's proposals to the president. Proposals included forming a search committee to pick the EC members, bringing amendment to the Representation of the People Order and strengthening the EC. Khaleeda proposed for having a former chief justice to be the convener of the search committee and for the membership of the search committee. She said an Appellate Division judges, a neutral and honest professor and competent senior female citizen might be considered for the membership of the search committee. A sealed envelope containing the names of 10 prospective members of the search committee was given by Khaleda to the president. "I believe your proposals will play positive roles in forming the next Election Commission," President Hamid told the BNP delegation. The BNP said the president informed the delegation that procedural issues for forming a search committee would be examined by him. Khaleda said during the talks that it would be a right step towards the advancement of the country if the Election commission can be constituted on the basis of consensus among all political parties. Pointing out the need for formation of a polls-time government, she said people were frustrated at home and abroad by the questionable roles of the Election Commission in the last two national elections and local body polls for the last several years. Thanking the president for inviting the party to the discussion, Khaleda a wished him success in his initiative over the formation of election commission. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party was happy and hopeful after meeting the president. (ANI)