The People's Rights Council led by Nurul Haque Nuru made 17 recommendations including a three-day holiday. The party made such recommendations to the Electoral Reforms Commission on Monday (November 25).
Party general secretary Rashed Khan told reporters that today was the last day to submit recommendations to the Reforms Commission. But they (Reform Commission) were not found in the office today. So we submitted the recommendation through e-mail.
17 recommendations of the People's Rights Council
1) In the interests of free, fair and impartial elections, the electoral system will be included in the constitution and the electoral system of government will be formed based on the consensus of the political parties represented in the parliament.
2) Adding the provision of disqualifying the fascist Awami League and its allies who committed genocide in the July revolution.
3) Increasing the number of members of the Election Commission. In that case, appointing a Chief Election Commissioner as well as eight people in eight departments.
4) Enact a law to form a search committee based on the opinions of political parties and citizens by abolishing the current controversial search committee process of forming the Election Commission. The search committee will double the number of members of the commission and finalize the name through media publicity and public hearing. The President shall appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and other Commissioners from the said name. At the same time, the appointment of the Secretary of the Election Commission is based on the opinion of the political parties.
5) Bicameral parliament with 100 seats in the upper house and 300 in the lower house. Allocation of seats in the lower house by direct vote and proportional to the votes received by the political parties participating in the election in the upper house.
6) Direct election in all seats by canceling reserved seats. Addition of provision to disqualify recognized corrupt, money launderers, mafias.
7) Abolition of EVM system. Addition of provision to be a candidate in elections including granting voting rights to expatriates.
8) Any candidate, voter, supporter, candidate's agent influencing the election, disrupting the election – 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Tk 1 crore if involved in such irregularities, chaos. Constituency of Tribunal with District Judges and disposal of election related complaints in Election Tribunal within 6 months.
9) Not to make presiding and assistant presiding officers in the election of politically connected persons. And giving the list of possible final polling officers to the contesting candidates at least 7 to 10 days before the polling.
10) Provision of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Tk 10 crore if the Chief Election Commissioner or other commissioners have any biased role in the election and any attempt to influence the election is proved.
11) Recruitment of independent cadres and necessary manpower of the Election Commission for the smooth completion of the election process. During the election period, the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs should be fully entrusted to the Election Commission and the Election Commission should not revoke the punishment of anyone who has been punished for election irregularities, rigging and abuse of power without the permission of the court.
12) In addition to entrusting all activities of National Identity Card to the Election Commission, providing all necessary assistance to the Election Commission for its security.
13) Make three days holiday during the election period including the day before and the day after the national election.
14) Registration of election commission at least in the district, upazila where there is no activity – by registering all such parties, providing annual allocation to genuine political parties to stop black money, reduction of muscle power and corruption in politics. Printing of election posters and media campaigning of candidates.
15) Abolish party symbols in local elections and keep them non-partisan. Stop being elected unopposed in national and local elections and re-election if the voter turnout is below 50 percent.
16) Presiding officer of the concerned center can stop taking votes in anarchic and uncontrolled situations including serious irregularities, encroachment of the center. Similarly, the Election Commission will have the power to cancel and postpone any election.
17) Incorporation of law and order enforcement forces during elections in the People's Representation Order. The Electoral Officers Special Act 1991 included officers of intelligence agencies to ensure transparency and accountability in their work.
