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Scrap Zila Parishad Act immediately

BNP iterates demand

By Staff Correspondent
BNP yesterday reiterated its demand for immediate scrapping of the Zila Parishad Act and warned of a tough movement for non-compliance.
The Zila Parishad Bill was passed hurriedly with an ulterior motive not to consolidate democracy but to perpetuate power by placing Awami League men in the proposed district councils to manipulate the next parliamentary polls. BNP Sec-retary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan alleged.
He was addressing a press conference at the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament yesterday.
Had they (AL) any intention to consolidate democracy, they would have placed it in parliament immediately alter coining to power, not at a time when the election is nearing, he said.
Opposition members in Parliamentary Standing Committees raised a number of objec-
tions and suggested amendments to the Bill for direct election of Zila Parishads and more power to their Chairmen to consolidate democracy.
But none of these suggestions were accepted. Instead, the ruling Awami League incorporated an amendment at the last moment for appointment of administrators till election of the Parishads.
"Appointment of administrators is clear violation of Article 59 of the Constitution." Bhuiyan said.
He said the provision for appointment of administrators is a deep rooted conspiracy to influence. rig and manipulate the next parliamentary election.
Speaking at the press conference. BNP central leader Barrister Moudud Ahmed said Sections 17 and 82 of the Act violate Article 59 ol (he Constitution and are inconsistent with Articles 7 and 1 1
Article 59 of the Constitution says only elected representatives of people will run and administer local government bodies and there Is no scope for any indirect election. Moudud pointed out.
"We are not against of the Act as a whole... We arc against the two specific provisions." he said.
He said in the Act. there are a number of conditions and requisite qualifications to be a Chairman but not a single condition or qualJ”: it ton to be an administrator
The Act allows a loan defaulter. a convict, or any other person to be the administrator of a Zila Parishad. he pointed out.
Moudud said the AL government had suspended Articles 59 and 60 while passing the 4th amendment to the Constitution in January 1975 to introduce one-party BKSAL system. BNP revived it after 15 years through the 12th amendment to the Constitution, he said.
If Mayor of a City Corporation. Upazfla Chairman. Pourasbha Chairman and UP Chairman can be elected directly. why not Zila Parishad Chairman? he asked.
Replying to a question. Moudud , said Justice Sha-■Ifabuddin Ahmed's verdict regarding the 8th amendment and nis explanation on Article 59 in 1992 are "historical". But as President, he did not play his due role regarding the Zila Parishad Act and the Chittagong Fl ill Tracts agreement. Moudud said.
BNP leaders Advocate Khan-daker Mahbubuddin Ahmed. Barrister Aminul Haq MP. Barrister Mahbubuddin Khokon and Jamaat -e-lslami leader Advocate Shaikh Ansar All also spoke at the press conference. BNP leaders Salahuddin Ahmed MP. Ahmed Nazir and some other lawyers were also present.