The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chittagong Correspondent

Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday said MPs under political regimes were busy with development activities beyond their mandate---a practice that hinders strengthening of local government institutions.

"Lawmaking is the only job of parliament members," he said during a hearing on its re-demarcation plan for parliamentary seats at Chittagong Circuit House. "Such practices by the lawmakers have stalled local body elections."

He said the lawmakers are mandated to make laws in the parliament instead of being part of development activities.

"Local government representatives are solely responsible for doing development activities. And this is the reason the Election Commission wants to hold local body polls," he said.

The EC is conducting the hearing across the country as objections were piled up against its re-demarcation plan. Any citizen can object to the EC's plan and seek to include or exclude an area in a parliamentary seat. The EC will make a final decision after it completes the hearing.

The January 11 episode was to put a brake to the machination of those who tried to fish in troubled water unleashing a reign of terror, chaos and confrontation centering the general elections slated for January 22 last year, the CEC said.

He said the previous political governments that alternately ruled the country over past 15 years have failed to strengthen local government institutions despite an order from the country's highest court.

The EC yesterday heard the objections that involve eight parliamentary seats under Feni, Noakhali and Chittagong districts.

The CEC said the lawmakers used to stay away from the parliament sessions creating a quorum crisis, as they were "busy with distributing licences to the dealers of rice, pulse or drugs".

He was however optimistic for a change this time, as he called upon the people to choose "honest, sincere and qualified" candidates through the next elections, expected to be held by the third week of December.

Election Commissioners Sohul Hossain and M Sakhawat Hossain also attended the programme.

Talking to newsmen during the lunch break, EC Sohul Hossain said that mayoral and pourasva polls would not affect the general elections in any way.

"Holding parliamentary polls is the main objective of the EC, and nothing will be able to deviate the EC from its ultimate goal," he said.

Sohul Hossain said he thinks the local polls slated for August 4 would not hamper the national polls in any way.

He, however, said the EC would suspend local body elections if there was any sign that it may obstruct the national polls.

The CEC, however, declined to talk to the press.

There were heated debates between Barrister Mahbubuddin Khokon, one of the panel solicitors of detained former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain over the demarcation of constituencies.

At one stage, Brig Gen (Retd) Sakhawat Hossain advised Barrister Khokon to be specific and precise saying, "You're talking to the Election Commissioners, not the party workers."

EC Secretary Mohammad Humayun Kabir, among others, also joined the hearing.

Representatives from Feni-3, Noakhali-1,2, Chittagong-5,6,7, 12, and 13 constituencies joined the hearings held covering three sessions.

The EC pledged to review some of the objections regarding demarcation which have adequate grounds and justifications.