DHAKA, Jan 6, 2022 (BSS) - The Gono Front, during its dialogue with
President M Abdul Hamid, today proposed for enactment of a time
befitting law and 13 other proposals.

   A seven-member delegation led by the chairman of the Gono Front Md
Zakir Hossain made 14-point proposal including enactment of new law to
constitute an independent, neutral and acceptable Election Commission
(EC) in the meeting.

  After the dialogue, President's Press Secretary Md. Joynal Abedin
briefed that during the discussion, the delegation of the Gono Front
proposed to form an EC comprised of honest and corruption-free
individuals who believe in the spirit of Liberation War and
Independence.

  The delegation proposed to form a nine-member Election Commission
with three women members.

   The leaders of the Gono Front proposed to keep a clear declaration
in the election law so that there would be no government interference
in the polls. Boycotting the election dialogue would not solve all the
problems, they said.

   They proposed to form an election-time government led by the
incumbent Prime Minister, comprising all the political parties
representing in Parliament after independence.

  Welcoming the leaders at Bangabhaban, the President said the
formation of an acceptable EC as well as the cooperation of all
concerned, including political parties, is a must to ensure a free,
fair and credible election. He said healthy politics is essential to
ensure public welfare.

   The President said a conducive political culture should be
developed in the management of political parties so that the political
parties and leadership are able to earn the trust and confidence of
the people.

  President's Office Secretary Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major
General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin and
Secretary (Attachment) Md Wahidul Islam Khan were present there.

   The Bangabhaban spokesman said the President has invited 28
political parties, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), for
the dialogue over the formation of an independent, neutral and
credible 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).

   Next 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.

  According to the schedule of dialogue, the President will hold talks
with the Islami Front Bangladesh at 6 pm on January 11 (Tuesday) and
with the Bangladesh National Awami Party (Bangladesh NAP) at 7 pm on
the same day. The talks with the BNP has been fixed at 4 pm on January
12 (Wednesday) and the National Peoples' Party (NPP) at 6pm on the
day.

  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.