The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

National Democratic Institute (NDI), an US based NGO, yesterday suggested the Government to lift the state of emergency as soon as possible and not to deploy police or military personnel on election day in polling stations.

A delegation of NDI, led by former US congressman and current NDI board member Sam Gejdenson, arrived in Dhaka on November 15 to assess preparations and observe election atmosphere ahead of the parliamentary polls.

The delegation held several meetings with

the caretaker government, EC, leaders of political parties, representatives of domestic monitoring groups and other civic organisations and members of the diplomatic community.

The US based organisation placed a set of prescriptions for the Government, the Election Commission, political parties, civil society and military to abide by.

While placing its written recommendations at a press conference at a city hotel yesterday the NDI team advised, "the military should accept its proper role in a democratic society and refrain from intervening in the political process."

But, the NDI mission chief parried questions on what it suggests about the role of the diplomats and foreign election observers intervening in the Bangladesh affairs.

They suggested the caretaker government to continue dialogue with the political parties and the election commission to ensure broad participation in the election.

"Act in a completely neutral manner during the election and refrain from actions that, in fact or appearance, favour or oppose any candidate or party," the NDI delegation said in its written statement.

It suggested the EC to amend its Domestic Election Monitoring Guidelines to ensure the independence of monitors and not permit political parties to veto monitoring organisations or individuals without a hearing.

It also suggested the EC to review campaign finance limitations and the issue of shutting down mobile phone networks on election day and to provide the voters list in print from as well as digital to ensure that all parties and candidates are able to reach eligible voters.

It suggested that the Commission should adopt measures to ensure that minority groups can exercise their rights on election day and are not subjected to post-election violence.

"The Caretaker Government should lift the state of emergency so that political activity can begin as soon as possible" it said and suggested "not to deploy police or military personnel on election day in polling stations or in a manner that appears intimidating to voters or that interferes with the electoral process."

The NDI team said the parties should agree to sustain several of the reforms adopted by the caretaker Government, including reforms to the Public Service Commission, anti-corruption efforts and securing judicial independence.

The parties should agree to end hartals and to use their elected roles in parliament as the principal forum for conservative deliberation issues and resolving disputes.

The parties should continue efforts to reform their parties internally to make them more democratic and responsive organisations.

NDI suggested the parties should provide for a meaningful role for the opposition in parliament.

The US NGO suggested the civil society of Bangladesh to educate public about the need to refrain from violence, calling for accountability to the law through and beyond the elections.

Members of the team Saumura Tioulong, member of the national assembly of Cambodia, Peter Manikas, senior associate and regional director for NDI's Asia programmes, and Jacqueline Corcoran, NDI/Bangladesh senior resident director also addressed the press.