DHAKA, Jan 3, 2022 (BSS) - President M Abdul Hamid today urged all

political parties to be respectful to each other's opinion with utmost
tolerance to flourish democracy as he held talks with Ganatantri Party
and Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon here.

  "It is an imperative to build a culture of consensus in politics"
for betterment of the country and its people, the President told
politicians.

   President Hamid held separate talks with the Ganatantri Party and
the Bangladesh Khilafah Andolon on the right day of the ongoing
dialogue with the political parties aimed at forming an independent,
impartial and acceptable Election Commission (EC).

   Held the talks at Bangabhaban's Durbar Hall, the President said it
is mandatory to reflect the principles and ideals while managing the
party to ensure development of healthy politics.

  President's Press Secretary Md. Joynal Abedin told BSS later.

   A seven-member delegation led by Ganatantri Party President
Barrister Arash Ali and General Secretary Dr Shahadat Hossain took
part in the talks with eight-point proposals.

   The proposals include: enacting a law to form an EC and forming a
Constitutional Council.

   On the other hand, a seven-member delegation led by Bangladesh
Khilafah Movement Chairman Maulana Ataullah Hafezi and Secretary
General Maulana Habibullah Miaji took part in the dialogue.

   The Bangabhaban spokesman said they presented a six-point proposal
to the President, including the enactment of a permanent law to form a
neutral, capable, strong, efficient and competent Election Commission.

   In the dialogue, the leaders of the Ganatantri Party said that they
have proposed to form a constitutional council for the appointment of
the EC.

   A Constitutional Council comprised of the Prime Minister, Leader of
the Opposition, Speaker, Chief Justice and Attorney General to be
formed, and the council would propose the President the names of the
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners.

  They proposed to appoint competent, efficient, honest and respected

people in the EC who believe in the spirit of Liberation War.

  In the dialogue, the leaders of the Bangladesh Khilafah Andolon
proposed to form an Election Commission comprised of young and old
aimed at utilizing the experiences to this end.

  They also proposed to declare the families involved in corruption,
black money holders, illegal property holders, terrorists, convicted
criminals and loan defaulters ineligible to participate in the polls.

  Welcoming the political leaders at Bangabhaban, the President said
the well-thoughts and valuable opinions of the political parties are
very important for formation of an acceptable Election Commission.

  The head of state said the formation of the EC is a constitutional
responsibility and there is justification for taking their (political
leaders) advices to form an acceptable EC.

  On December 20, the first day of the ongoing dialogue with the
political parties, the President began the talks with the Jatiya
Party, main opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament).

  A total of 12 political parties held talks with the President till date.

  Tomorrow the dialogue will be held with the Samyabadi Dal of
Bangladesh at 6 pm and the Islamic Andolon Bangladesh at 7 pm.

  Dialogue with Jatiya Party (JP) will be held at 6 pm and Jamiate
Ulamaye Islam Bangladesh at 7 pm on January 5.

  The talks with the Gano Front is scheduled for January 6 at 6 pm and
the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at 7 pm.

  Dialogue with Krishak Sramik Janata League will be held on January 9
at 6 pm and Bangladesh Muslim League (BML) at 7 pm on that day.

  Talks with the Jatiya Party (JP) will be held on January 10 at 6 pm
while with Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) will be held at 7 pm.

  No date has yet been set for talks with other political parties, the
press secretary added.

  Earlier, a dialogue was held with the participation of political
parties ahead of the ninth, tenth and eleventh parliamentary
elections.

  The President has been given the power to appoint CECs and no 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 tenure will end on February 14 next year.
During this period, the President will form a new EC, under which the
twelfth parliamentary polls will be held.