BNP proposals on Election commission: BNP avoids proposing law for strategic reason

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party avoided placing any proposal for enactment of a law on appointment of chief election commissioner and other election commissioners in its proposals unveiled on Friday for reconstituting and strengthening the Election Commission for strategic reasons.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia unveiled on Friday the proposals for forming new commission based on consensus among registered political parties through a five-member search committee of consensus and strengthening the commission amending the Representation of the People Order 1972.
She, however, said nothing about the constitutional stipulation for the enactment.
Article 118(1) of the constitution stipulates, ‘…the appointment of the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners (if any) shall, subject to the provisions of any law made in that behalf, be made by the president.’
The commission has always been criticized by the opposition parties and different quarters as the ruling parties enjoy the monopoly power to appoint the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners in absence of a law on the appointment.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told New Age on Saturday that they were aware of the constitutional stipulation.
If the ruling Awami League enacts the law it would do it in its own way, Fakhrul explained.
Fakhrul, who was involved in preparing the proposals, said that the law on appointment to the commission might be enacted based on the thoughts and proposals placed by BNP.
He said that no law on appointment to commission would be ‘effectible’ if it was enacted bypassing the proposals.
BNP standing committee member Mahbubur Rahman told New Age that BNP’s avoidance of proposing the enactment did not mean that the party opposed it.
He said that the proposals placed were not complete and more changes and additions might come during discussions at various levels over the proposals.
Asked about the implementation of the proposals, Fakhrul said that everything would depend on the ‘honest willingness’ of the government. 
He believed that people would remain in favour of their proposals.
Asked if implementation of the proposals was a challenge, Fakhrul said BNP would try to reach their proposals to people saying no election would be held without a Neutral Election Commission.

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