The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission (EC), like the Anti-corruption Commission, has been appointing panel of lawyers to deal with the EC related cases. As part of the effort, the Commission has already appointed eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain and rest of the lawyers of the panel will be appointed after the Holy Eid-ul-Azha.

Briefing journalists at his office, Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain yesterday said Dr Kamal Hossain, who is also the President of Gano Forum, a political party, was not given appointment on political consideration.

"He (Dr Kamal) will conduct the election related cases in accordance with the laws," the Election Commissioner said adding, he has been given appointment, as he is an internationally reputed lawyer.

Explaining the reason behind appointing the lawyers, he said the Attorney General pleads cases as a government lawyer. But the EC has decided to appoint panel of lawyers since it is an independent body.

Sakhawat Hossain said the next phase of dialogue with political parties on electoral reforms might be held separately if they do not want to sit together. He however, said that decision in this regard is yet to be taken.

Replying to a question, he said he does not think that the electron road map would be hampered if the political dialogue were not ended in time.

The Election Commissioner said the work of preparing voter list with photographs in the city would be carried out till 15th January instead of December 31, so that nobody is dropped from the list due to performing the holly hajj and celebrating the Eid-ul-Azha in the village home.

The Election Commission remains cautious always so that nobody is dropped from the voter list, he said.

He, however, said if anybody is dropped from the list he or she would have to enlist themselves by their own imitative.

He said Internet server will be available at Upazila and Thana level and anyone eligible person would be able to a voter after making communication with them.

Replying to another question Sakhawat Hossain said the commission would take decision on holding dialogue with the BNP in accordance with the directives of the court since the matter lies with the court.

He hoped that the dialogue with political parties would end by March next year.