The New Nation - Internet Edition

Pankaj Karmakar

The members of Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) will meet today to bring necessary amendments to the party constitution to get registered with the Election Commission (EC).

The registration with the EC has been made mandatory for participating in the parliamentary elections in December.

Talking to the New Nation, AL presidium member Begum Matia Chowdhury said, " In party councils we usually amend our constitution. But this time we have to amend our party constitution in the ALCWC only as per the directive of the EC."

About the banning of front organisations abroad she said, " The EC has forced us to act like hypocrites. It is not the headache of the Bangladesh Government whether the citizens of London will form an organisation or not, since they are obligated to the UK regulations not Bangladeshi Rule."

AL Central Organising Secretary MD Aktaruzzaman said the leaders would emphasis on the issue of retaining associate organisations within the country but not mentioning it in the party constitution as per the directive of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

About the leadership of the party the AL leader said there is no contradiction between the party's constitution and the Representatives of People's Order (RPO). So there is no need to bring reform in the provision of leadership.

Nouh-Ul-Alam Lelin, Information and Research Secretary of AL Central Committee informed that they will bring amendment in five provisions of the party constitution, which includes keeping of 33 per cent seats in reserve for female representatives, disassociation from front organisations abroad and keeping associate organisations in the country in a different set up.

AL leaders Abul Mal Abdul Muhit, a former minister and a member of constitution amendment committee, said, "Although the constitution of the party provides for joint leadership, it is not possible to implement this provision present. But the ALCWC should ponder over this issue."

He also informed that a provision for involving the grassroots-level leaders in the process of awarding nominations might be included where the AL parliamentary board would formally discuss with the grassroots leaders before awarding nomination.

He also opined that the ALCWC should keep 50 per cent female representation in the AL policymaking body by 2020 but for registration with the EC for participating in the national polls at present 33 per cent of reserve seats for female representatives would be approved today.

A team for drafting the amendment proposal led by HT Imam, member AL advisory council, would submit the draft proposal, which was likely to be approved by the committee today, source said.

The ALCWC will also discuss poll preparation for the upcoming national elections.

Matia Chowdhury said, "We had preparation for the postponed January 22 election. A number of committee and sub-committee were formed for that election. But in line with the changed political atmosphere we have to review and renew these committees."

She was also in favour of giving more privilege to the female leaders, including priority in nominations for contesting in the national polls, as the contribution of the female leaders and activists to the party is no less compared to their male counterparts.