The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Election Commission do not want to embarrass the interim government asking for withdrawal of the state of emergency ahead of the elections.

"We don't want to embarrass the government. We'll request the government to take necessary steps to create congenial atmosphere for holding a fair election," Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda said at a press conference at the EC secretariat yesterday afternoon immediately prior to meeting the Chief Adviser.

The CEC made the remark in reply to a question after unveiling a report on the dialogue between and the Election Commission and the political parties about electoral reforms.

About the report, the CEC said the Commission made a series of recommendations to the government for ensuring a free and fair election.

The recommendations include strengthening the EC, banning front organizations of political parties and their units abroad, keeping provision of casting 'no vote' in the ballot, taking charge by the EC of hustings, and curbing writing and pasting of posters on the walls.

Dr Huda said the present system of appointing election commissioners should be changed. The parliamentary business advisory committee, which comprises the top leaders of all parties in parliament, could finalize the appointment of the election commissioners to ensure the EC's neutrality.

"If the President unilaterally appoints the election commissioners, it may look as partisan," he said adding that the EC's size should be made specific consisting of three commissioners including a woman member.

During their meeting with the Chief Adviser in the afternoon, the CEC said the Commission would urge him to take steps for amending the Political Party Ordinance (PPO) and putting a stop to haphazard wall writings on election campaign.

The CEC said they met President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday morning and handed over a copy of the report to him.