EC opens dialogue with civil society ahead of polls

The discussion is aimed at gathering views on ensuring a free and fair election

The Election Commission (EC) has begun talks with civil society representatives as part of a series of stakeholder consultations ahead of the 13th parliamentary elections.

The dialogue, the first of its kind under the commission led by AMM Nasir Uddin, started around 10:45am on Sunday. Twelve invited representatives are taking part in the discussion.

They are former caretaker government adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury, Jahargirnagar University Prof Al Masud Hasanuzzaman, former ambassador Humayun Kabir, Chittagong University Vice-Chancellor Prof Muhammad Yeahia Akhter, security analyst Md Mahfuzur Rahman, Prof Abdul Wazed, BGMEA Director Rashid Ahamed Hossaini, poet Mohon Raihan, Police Reforms Commission's Mohammad Harun Chowdhury, student representative Jarif Rahman, Prof Robayet Ferdous, and TIB Director Muhammad Badiuzzaman.

Alongside CEC Nasir, the four election commissioners and the EC secretary Akhtar Ahmed were in attendance.

Officials said the purpose of the dialogue is to gather views from different groups in order to ensure that the upcoming election is free, fair and credible. Later in the afternoon, the commission will hold a similar session with educationists.

For the first time in a Bangladeshi general election, “IT-supported postal voting” is set to be introduced. Issues such as electoral laws and regulations, law and order, and overall election preparations will also be discussed.

The next parliamentary election is expected to take place in the first half of February, before Ramadan. The EC has said that the formal election schedule will be announced at least two months before polling day.

According to the electoral roadmap, the stakeholder consultations are set to continue for between one and one-and-a-half months.