Nobel laureate Dr. BNP and other political parties for the election of the 13th National Assembly. The goal of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is to hold local government elections. The issue is being discussed at the highest level of the government. How much political and social stability is maintained in the country before the national elections – the experience of Dr. Yunus's government wants to check in advance.
While talking to several members of the two commissions formed by the government, they told Bangla Tribune that informal discussions are going on between the government regarding the organization of elections. However, after the meeting of the heads of the commission held with the chief adviser on Monday (November 4), one person said, 'There was no discussion on this issue on Monday.'
However, a commission member of another commission commented, 'When the local government was elected, the political process was maintained in the country. It can be the government's decision.'
According to sources, a major reason for the formation of the search committee after the Election Reform Commission is that the government is serious about the election by taking into account the old system of EC formation. In particular, the government can conduct local government elections as a pre-preparation before holding national elections. In this case, however, the party symbol will be cancelled.
A reliable source of the government's law and order force claims, 'The matter has already been discussed at the highest level of the government. However, it is also important whether the political parties will agree to the local government elections before the national elections. The government has also been asked to consider that.'
“Even if BNP will accept as a big party, the topic has been raised,” said the source of the office of the law and order force.
According to a source close to the government, the government has started discussing the formation of a separate commission on the local government election system.
When asked about this on Tuesday (November 5) evening, National Citizen Committee convener Muhammad Nasiruddin Patwari told Bangla Tribune, 'We have not yet thought about the election process. We are working with the priority of the martyrs, injured and victims of the coup. I am not thinking about local government or national elections now.'
According to a source, the anti-discrimination student movement wants elections in the student councils first.
BNP Standing Committee meeting was held on Monday (November 4) night. In that meeting, ongoing issues including the election were also discussed.
After the meeting, while talking to several members of the Standing Committee, it was revealed that the BNP expects the government to take the fastest initiative regarding the election in the meeting. The party leaders are also making demands about the election.
In response to a question, a member of the standing committee told the Bengali Tribune, 'The local government can hold the election earlier, but the BNP will oppose it. I think the government should go ahead with the discussion. The government is not the Awami League government. This is the interim government.'
The president of another party said, 'I am not clear about the local government elections yet. But I think it can.'
A reliable source of BNP said on Monday (November 4), after the formation of the new EC, the government will tend to organize the local government elections along with updating the voter list, conducting activities simultaneously with the 'Electoral Reform Commission' on the electoral law, arranging the parliamentary seats.
On Monday, the head of the Election Reform Commission informed the chief adviser about the progress of the work of the Election Reform Commission. Badiul Alam Majumdar. He said that the voting rights of expatriates are guaranteed, postal ballot for absent voters, coordination of voter list with national identity card, ensuring participation of women in the electoral process, communicating with partners using digital platforms and taking advice are underway.
According to a party source of BNP, the existing culture of political parties will emerge mainly through local government elections. The position of political parties in the election, candidate-examination, in the light of the practical experience of the electoral field, the government will go towards the thirteenth national parliament election.
Regarding the reform proposals and the formation of the Election Commission, sources said that the Election Reform Commission is working on almost everything. The Electoral Reforms Commission will also propose reforms to the national, local government, electoral law and constitution.
In this case, the source expressed doubts about drafting a 'new constitution' even though it was proposed to the Constitution Reform Commission.
According to a commission source, the level of discussion on constitutional reform will increase. Some are also fearing instability in the political circles.
Several senior BNP leaders have raised questions about constitutional reform. BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas said in a meeting on Tuesday, 'Who are you to amend the constitution? Amend the constitution without Parliament? Remember, the constitution is not a rough book to do whatever you want. If the constitution is to be amended or rewritten, it should be done in consultation with those who have fought for freedom, those who are stakeholders.'
In a meeting of lawyers held at the Supreme Court Auditorium on Monday, the head of the country's current constitution drafting committee. Kamal Hossain said, 'No person will change it (Constitution) with a stroke of the pen. If a person thinks, even the President thinks, it is wrong, he should not change it with the stroke of a pen. People's opinions should be kept and taken.
Member of Election Reform Commission Dr. Zaheed Ur Rahman told Bangla Tribune, 'The EC is being formed by the same law that was formed during the fascist Awami League government. There are two reasons for this, the government wants to take it into the election process. And when we make a proposal, after that the government will discuss with everyone including the political parties, in the end it is a long process.'
“Then the formation of the EC will be too late, if it goes according to our proposal. I think the government is doing it in privious law because it is sincere. The country is moving towards the election process, this signal has also been given by the government'- mentioned Zaheed Ur Rahman.
If asked, the head of the Election Reform Commission. Badiul Alam Majumdar told Bangla Tribune, 'Local government elections are necessary. The people of the country have been deprived of local government services for a long time. This election needs to be done as soon as possible.'
Professor Badiul Alam Majumder said, 'National elections are also necessary. But before that some reforms have to be done here. Local government election law should also be reformed. In 2007, a powerful committee formed by the then government worked on the Local Government Election Act. Local government laws were modernized at that time, and are still relevant.'
