EC awaits final form of reform proposal, says Commissioner Masud

The Election Commission will decide the next step once proposals to reform the electoral system are finalized, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said today (January 16).

“When everything has taken shape or form, we will think about how to involve the EC in it. The sooner that comes, the better it will be for us to prepare (for the next national elections),” he said in response to a question from journalists at his office.

The commissioner refused to say anything in advance about the reform proposal, but noted that the sooner the EC received the proposals, the more helpful it would be in the preparations.

“At this stage we cannot comment in advance. We can think about it when the time comes. There is a proposal to create an upper and a lower house of Parliament, there is a question of amendment of the Constitution When everything takes shape, we will think about how to involve the EC,” he said.

On Wednesday, the Electoral System Reform Commission along with three other reform commissions submitted their respective reports to the Chief Advisor, Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

The Election Commissioner said the EC was always ready for the national elections. He said the Electoral Commission is committed to holding fair, transparent and impartial elections.

In response to another question, he said: “It’s a question of trust. We cannot imagine “voting at night”. If we get everyone’s cooperation, we are confident that we will be able to give the nation a neutral and pleasant attitude. elections,” he said.

In its report, the Electoral System Reform Commission recommended re-election in a constituency if turnout is below 40 percent, the introduction of a “no vote” provision to prevent unopposed elections and the elimination of electronic voting machines (EVM).

It also recommended prohibiting political parties from maintaining associated bodies among students, teachers and workers, as well as their foreign sections.

Other recommendations include splitting defense in the definition of law enforcement agencies during elections, prioritizing the Electoral Commission’s own officials in appointment as returning officers and deputy returning officers, and changing a provision allowing an independent candidate to obtain the support of 500 voters instead of submitting signatures. of 1 percent of voters.

The reform commission suggested that the Election Commission should be empowered to postpone or cancel elections and conduct re-elections, and be given the sole responsibility of appointing the EC secretary.

The commission, headed by Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, made some 150 recommendations for reform in its report.