A few proposals will help to escalate the situation, commission chief says
Published : 15 Jan 2025, 07:24 PM
The Electoral Reform Commission has laid about 150 recommendations in wanting to make the “broken” election system “institutional and inclusive”, as well as bringing all stakeholders to accountability.
The commission submitted its report to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday.
The constitution, the police, and ACC reform commissions also submitted their reports to the interim government chief in Dhaka’s Tejgaon with specific recommendations for state reform.
The members of the electoral commission, led by its chief Badiul Alam Majumdar, filed the report.
Badiul spoke at the Chief Advisor's Office about their report aiming to transform the Election Commission into an effective and independent institution to establish the people's right to vote.
"It's a major responsibility. The reform commission is trying to restore the electoral system, which has already ‘collapsed’," he said.
"We have made several proposals that will help to escalate the situation."
The commission chief said efforts would be made to ensure transparency in the election process.
"At the same time, we have worked to ensure an inclusive election with the establishment of all stakeholders’ accountability and the people’s rights to vote. There are about 150 recommendations.”
Badiul said there are also constitutional recommendations on some issues linked to reforming the electoral system.
In January 2024, the Awami League came to power for the fourth consecutive time through the boycott of elections by most political parties, including the BNP. The Awami League government was ousted in the wake of a massive movement on Aug 5.
Prior to that, three elections held during the Awami League's tenure since 2014 were widely criticised. The Hasina-led government has been accused of authoritarian rule.
The Awami League government came under pressure at home and abroad for serious human rights violations such as corruption, money laundering, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.
As a result, the interim government took the initiative to reform the state after the transition of power. A total of 11 reform commissions were formed in two phases.
The commission chief said a few more laws are being drafted to carry forward the reform work.
He said the draft of the laws has been prepared with an emphasis on strengthening and making the Election Commission effective.