Dr. for free, neutral and acceptable elections in the country. The Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM) has made several proposals to the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
Advertisement
In their proposal, they said that no Awami League official accused of genocide in the 2024 coup will be a candidate for the national parliament election until the trial process is over.
The recommendations are:
1. Election neutral government
In the current political reality of Bangladesh, it is impossible to hold the national election free of influence and impartially under the party government while retaining the parliament. Therefore, the constitution should include provision for an electorally neutral government with one representative (who does not stand for election) nominated from each of the political parties represented in the parliament. The caretaker government will hold national elections within 90 days after assuming power. However, the Election Commission will be in charge of conducting the election.
2. Not keeping party symbols in local government elections
All local government elections should be free of party symbols. Union Parishad, Upazila Parishad and Municipal elections should be held in one day under the same schedule in order to stop the possibility of electoral violence and area-based influence. During the campaign period in this election, the local administration has to perform the duties under the District Election Officer. The District Election Officer shall have the power to cancel the election on the allegation of serious irregularities on the day of polling.
3. Empowerment of Election Commission
• The Chief Election Commissioner should enact necessary laws and regulations to hold the role of 'Super Prime Minister' after the announcement of the national election schedule. He can show cause against any member other than the head of the government during the election for violation of the code of conduct or influence and can prevent him from interfering in the election. The Chief Election Commissioner shall have full jurisdiction over the enforcement of election laws.
• The EC should have the power to annul partial or full national elections on allegations of serious irregularities.
• The EC will have the freedom to formulate the election budget and receive funds, but an independent audit of expenditure should be completed after the elections under the Chief Comptroller of Audit.
• Full jurisdiction to appoint Election Officers at District and Upazila level should be under the Election Commission.
• 3 months before the national elections, any officer of the rank of secretary who retired at least 4 years before the administration should be given contractual duties as the Election Commission Secretary.
• Any reshuffle in public administration, police, SB and National Security Intelligence (NSI) agencies during the election period should be approved by the Election Commission.
• The Election Commission should have full powers to cancel or suspend the registration of any political party on proven charges of terrorist activities, violation of the constitution or genocide.
• Strong Mobile Monitoring Cell to be set up by EC to enforce election code of conduct, which will have power to cancel candidature.
• The Appellate Tribunal for the settlement of electoral disputes should be composed of representatives of the Election Commission, Judiciary and civil society.
• The Election Commission should be appointed through an impartial search committee without the recommendation of the President or the Prime Minister.
4. Electoral reform
• Bicameral Legislature to bring balance of power.
• Provision should be made that the members of the upper house of the Parliament shall be elected in proportion to the votes received by the political parties. In this case, a separate ballot containing the symbols of the contesting political parties should be kept for the Upper House on the polling day.
• The next National Assembly elections should be conducted following the current system. In this case, the election should be done by conventional ballot, but in future, paper audit trail should be kept in case of EVM polling.
• The provision of polling for National Assembly elections on multiple days should be introduced.
5. Reform of election management system
• Appointing Returning Officer and Presiding Officer should include competent representatives of civil society along with administrative officers.
• At least 60 days before the National Assembly elections, the contesting political parties must submit the names of maximum 3 candidates against each seat along with affidavits to the Election Commission. Each candidate shall deposit a cost to the EC for verification of affidavit and the information of the candidates' affidavit shall be verified by an impartial investigation agency. If the information in the affidavit of the final nominee of the political parties is incorrect, the candidature will be cancelled.
• Election expenditure limit for National Assembly election should be maximum Tk 40 lakh in current reality.
6. Reform of rules relating to candidature
• No person shall contest as an 'Independent Candidate' in the National Assembly elections unless at least 90 days have elapsed after resigning from the Center or Metropolitan/District and Municipal/Upazila level committees of any registered political party.
• No one can be a candidate for National Assembly election before 4 years of retirement from government service.
• No Awami League office bearer accused of genocide in the 24th Uprising can be a candidate for the national parliament election until the trial process is over.
• The provision of supporting signatures of 1 percent voters should be abolished in case of independent candidates.
7. Laws and regulations required on polling day
• CCTV should be installed in every polling station.
• The result of each center should be announced on the loudspeaker within the specified time from the center itself.
• Mandatory transmission of center election results to the Returning Officer with the signature of each candidate's agent and the presiding officer's countersignature.
• Distance and public opinion should be prioritized in setting up polling stations.
• Any disturbance occurring within 200 yards of the polling station on the day of polling shall be held responsible by the candidate concerned.
