The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Caretaker Government will form a constitution reform commission to recommend necessary amendments to the constitution.

Chief adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said this yesterday while addressing a localised national dialogue session titled 'Transition to democracy' held at Rabindra Kacharibari auditorium in Sirajganj.

The Government, however, will discuss the issue with the political parties and civil society leaders before constituting the jurists' body on constitution reform, Dr Fakhruddin added.

The constitution commission will make recommendations about the mode of future government, balance of power and amendment to the constitution and keep those for the future elected government and parliament for consideration.

The Chief Adviser categorically reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of holding the general election in December and to ensure a conducive environment for the people so that they can exercise the right of franchise without fear and intimidation.

He said the government was trying its level best to ensure all parties' participation in the upcoming general election and expressed the hope that the BNP would join the ongoing dialogue with the government.

Dr Fakhruddin said preparations for holding an acceptable election and handing over power to an elected government were almost complete. In this regard he mentioned the successful completion of voters list with photograph of over 80 million voters as well as electoral rules and regulations and code of conduct by the election commission.

"Post-election stability, sustainable democracy and good governance will have to be ensured," he said about the expectation of the Government out of the polls the interim regime is preparing to hold in the changed circumstances.

He said the government started national dialogue to forge consensus with political parties over the objectives towards a free, fair and credible election.

Regarding release of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, the Chief Adviser said the government had an identical policy on the issue like that of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"We have already issued a notice during the temporary release of Sheikh Hasina saying that the government has the same stand about Khaleda Zia," he said.

Referring to participation of war criminals in the upcoming general polls, he said their participation in the election is not expected. "Our time is limited, so we are creating a field for you so that in time you can proceed on in this regard," he added.

The Chief Adviser said there was a provision in the RPO (Representation of People's Order) that any person convicted of war crimes would not be able to participate in the polls.

"No steps were taken even by the elected governments during the last 37 years in this regard," he added and urged people to keep up the demand for the next government to deal with.

Education adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman moderated the dialogue broadcast live on radio and TV channels.

Local government adviser Anwarul Iqbal, law adviser AF Hassan Ariff and communications adviser Ghulam Quader also attended the dialogue. Deputy commissioner Sirajganj Ashraf Ali delivered the welcome address.

As many as 43 people of various professions took part in the dialogue.

The points raised by the participants include ban on destructive political activities by promulgating ordinance, taking measures by enacting law so that reform process continues after the exit of this caretaker government, and launching of anti-corruption drive in districts and upazila levels against politicians, government officials, businessmen and so on.

Many suggested holding upzila polls before parliament election while some for holding upazila and parliament elections on the same day.

They raised various demands that included strengthening of the milk vita project, loan facilities to the weavers, supply of gas to Sirajganj and Pabna, setting up a veterinary college and hospital at Sirajganj, construction of Bogra-Sirajganj rail line and formation of task force at local levels to check crimes.

In reply, the Chief Adviser said that the government would consider the legitimate demands of the people in phases. Earlier, the chief adviser visited the Milk-Vita plant at Baghabari in the upazila.

On upazila election, he said the government had given the responsibility to the Election Commission (EC) as per law to hold all elections in the country. The EC has stated that it would not be possible to hold upazila and parliament elections on the same day.

On the anti-corruption drive he said the Anti- Corruption Commission

(ACC) had been made independent and the government was providing financial facilities and capacity-building support to the watchdog body.

He said people also had to play their role by raising their voice against corruption alongside the government efforts to deal with the corruption suspects under the law of the land.

The chief adviser urged people to use their "vote weapons applying conscience, wisdom and judgment to elect most honest and competent candidates in the polls so that the desire of the whole nation is fulfilled and real democracy and good governance are established".