President Hamid says he will consider all parties' proposals on forming next EC

President Md Abdul Hamid hope to constitute a strong Election Commission accommodating the opinions and proposals of all the political parties that deliberated in the dialogue.

The president expressed the hope on the last day of the talks on forming the next EC.

He is yet to say how the new EC will be formed.

He met Bangladesh Islami Front, Bangladesh Muslim League (BML) and Zaker Party at the Bangabhaban on Wednesday.

The President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin briefed the media about the meetings.

Hamid noted in the talks that many of the political parties already placed their views and proposals on forming the EC and the 'search committee' to a recommend names for the elections commissioners during the dialogue, Abedin said.

The president again urged political parties to be cooperative to take democracy ahead, Abedin said.
 
The president initiated the talks as the tenure of the current commission, headed by Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, is ending in February.
 

The then president late Zillur Rahman formed the Rakibuddin commission in 2012 through a search committee, which had recommended names for the appointment of election commissioners, including its chief.

Law Minister Anisul Huq has hinted at forming the EC through the same process this time again. The Bangabhaban is yet to officially say anything on the matter.

Most of the parties suggested making a separate law to constitute the EC, and form the commission through 'search committee' until then.

Ruling Awami League said it was ready to make the law or an ordinance 'right now' if necessary.

The BNP, which sits out of Parliament after the boycott of the 2014 elections, says the ruling party's proposal is 'ill-motivated'.

Awami League leaders said they do not want the next elections to be debatable and they want all the parties to take part in the polls. The BNP doubts their sincerity.

It has proposed to form a five-strong 'search committee' with a former chief justice heading it.

A seasoned politician, President Hamid earlier stressed the need for parties to agree on important issues.

The president has also talked about the need for tolerance and cooperation.

On Wednesday, the Zaker Party said it wants representation of all the parties in the search committee.

Its Chairman Mostafa Amir Faisal led the party's 10-member delegation at the Bangabhaban talks.

The Islami Front delegation of nine, led by its Chairman AA Mannan, paced a six-point proposal, including the EC's financial freedom.

The 10-member Bangladesh Muslim League headed by its President AEM Kamruzzaman Khan said they want inclusion of a female commissioner in the EC.