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General Elections

3 parties ask EC to bar war criminals

Staff Correspondent
The Election Commission (EC) yesterday observed that it cannot ban religion-based political parties and bar them from taking part in polls as the constitution does not allow any such act.
"We can't go beyond the existing laws and the constitution of the country," Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda said while talking with Gonotantri Party, who EC invited yesterday to an electoral reform dialogue.
Two other parties — Jatiya Party (JP-Manju) and Jatiya Samajtantrlk Dal (JSD-Rob) also separately sat with EC for the dialogue.
All the three parties urged EC to bar war criminals and antiLiberation War elements from taking part in the elections.
Showing its shortcomings, EC advised the political parties to seek observation of the High Court in this regard.
The three parties asked EC to declare specific date of election to dispel people's confusion about it.
They also stressed the need for
lifting the ban on indoor politics and withdrawal of the state of
emergency.
On the question of party registration, JP delegation said it will create dual system in politics which will cause anarchy in the aftermath.
The CEC agreed with this view saying there should not be dual system in politics. He said the Commission would review the Political Party Act, 1978 and see if any provision could be inserted in it for guiding non-registered parties.
The Invited parties expressed their support to ban front organisations of political parties saying those might work as associate organisations.
GONOTANTRI PARTY
A 10-member delegation led by Muhammad Nurul Islam, president of Gonotantri Party urged not to register religion-based political parties with EC. They said these parties create instability in the society and are source of religious fundamentalism and militancy.
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H urged EC to bar war criminals from taking part in the elec-n°1he CEC in reply said EC is not the proper forum to raise the issue of banning such political parties.
He also advised them to go to the HC with like-minded political parties and to file a writ in this connection. ,
The CEC however said EC has already incorporated a provision disqualifying war criminals from contesting the elections in its draft electoral reform proposal.
Responding to the issue. Election Commissioner Brig (retd) M Shakhawat Hossein said religionbased politics is allowed in many countries.
Citing the name Christian Democratic Party in Europe, he said Norendro Modi of BJR a religionbased party in India, also won the election.
JATWA PARTY (JP-MANJU)
Led by secretary general Sheikh Sliahidul Islam. Jatiya Party (JP-Manju) during the dialogue urged the Election Commission to consider conducting election campaigns on behalf of political parties.
On the issue of political party registration, the JP delegation said non-registercd political parties should not be allowed to do politics. Otherwise, they observed that the non-registered parties would seize the advantage and create chaos in politics and thus put the registered political parties on an uneven ground.
JP also urged the EC to complete the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies as early as possible.
It also urged the EC to hold elections to city corporations, municipalities and union parishads before holding the parliamentary elections.
JSD (ROB)
JSD (Rob) urged the EC to hold a joint dialogue among all political parties, professional bodies, civil society, armed forces and the EC for coming to a consensus about all national issues including holding of the parliamentary elections.
Led by Executive President Prof Muhammad Shafique, the JSD delegation urged the EC to cancel the practice of allocating permanent electoral symbols to political parties.
It also urged the EC to bar identified criminals and corrupt individuals from taking part in elections.
EC'S RESPONSE
Replying a query, the CEC.said that the Commission is pondering over a suggestion from political parties to
sponsor election campaigns on the parties' behalf to cut campaign cost.
"We are considering this. We arc discussing the matter with BBC. Let's see what comes out of it," CEC Huda told the 11-member JP (Manju) delegation.
He also said state-owned BTV and local TV channels would also be consulted over the matter.
The CEC said die Commission might try it out before the city cor poration elections. "If it's successful, we will consider it for the parliamentary elections as well."
The election schedule for city corporation elections will be announced in March, the CEC also said.
Huda however said if the Commission takes up the responsibility of the election campaigns on behalf of the parties, the political parties themselves must not campaign for their parties.
Replying to a JP (Manju) proposal, the CEC said there should not be a dual system in politics and die Commission would review the Political Party Act -1978' to see if any provision could be inserted in it.