DHAKA, Dec 22, 2021 (BSS) - Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) today proposed 
enacting a permanent legal framework and forming a search committee to 
constitute an acceptable Election Commission (EC) as they held a dialogue 
with President M Abdul Hamid today. 

   A six-member Jasad delegation, led by its chief Hasanul Haque Inu, MP, 
came up with the proposals during a talk with President M Abdul Hamid at 
Bangabhaban here in the afternoon. 

      The dialogue lasted for about an hour from 4 pm.  At the end of the 
dialogue, Inu told reporters that they had placed a number of specific 
proposals to the President.   

  He said according to Article 118 of the Constitution, the President has the 
authority to form the Election Commission and "We highly appreciated

  the initiatives of the President

  for initiating discussions with other political parties to form an 
acceptable EC." 

    Inu said the government usually faces an awkward situation every five 
years with the formation of the Election Commission. So, the enactment of a 
permanent law can resolve the issue.

       On the other hand, Inu said the President could advise the government 
to form an inquiry committee.

   In that case, members from the country's constitutional bodies should be 
included in the committee, he said, adding that it is necessary to include 
people, who have honesty, integrity and acceptance. 

     He also mentioned that the individuals with the status of Appellate 
Division Judges and Comptroller and Auditor General can be chosen in this 
regard.    The formation of an election commission was not enough for a free, 
fair and credible poll, the Jasad chief said, adding "It is necessary to 
ensure that the government's executives extend all-out cooperation to the EC 
properly."

  After the dialogue, President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told BSS 
that the President held talks with one of the opposition parties in Jatiya 
Sangsad at Bangabhaban on the second day over the formation of an 
independent, neutral, acceptable, strong and effective Election Commission.

      Welcoming the Jasad delegation at Bangabhaban, the President said there 
was no specific law for forming the Election Commission.   Therefore, he 
hoped that all political parties would play a very positive role in forming 
an acceptable EC.   

  The head of state sought the full cooperation of all the political parties 
in this regard.   

  The delegation members include Jasad General Secretary Shirin Akhter, MP, 
Acting President Md Rabiul Alam, Standing Committee Member and former MP 
Mosharraf Hossain, vice-president Mir Hossain Akhter, and VP Former lawmaker 
Rezaul Karim Tansen.  

   On Monday last (December 20), President Hamid held a talk with the main 
opposition party of the parliament Jatiya Party. 

   The President will hold a dialogue with Bangladesh National Awami Party 
next Sunday (December 26) at 4 pm, while Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basod) 
will sit with the head of the state on the same day at 6 pm.     Bangladesh 
Tarikat Federation will sit in a dialogue with the President on Monday next 
(December 27) at 4 pm and Khilafat Majlis at 6 pm.   

   The President will also hold a dialogue with Bangladesh Workers Party on 
Tuesday (December 28) at 4 pm.

     Talks with Bangladesh Nationalist Front-BNF and Islamic Oikya Jote will 
be held respectively at 4 pm and at 6 pm on Wednesday (December 29).  

   However, no date has yet been set for talks with other political parties.  

   Secretaries concerned to Bangabhaban were also present there. 

   Earlier, talks were held with the participation of political parties ahead 
of the ninth, tenth and eleventh parliamentary polls.  

  The President has the authority to appoint the Chief Election Commission 
(CEC) and not more than four Election Commissioners.  

    In the last few terms, the President has formed the Election Commission 
on the basis of the recommendations of the 'Search Committee'.  

   The current EC's five-year term will expire on February 14 next year.   

   During this period, the President will form a new commission, under which 
the 12th parliamentary elections will be held.