Ban religion-based parties, disqualify war criminals from polls, AL tells EC

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Awami League (AL) joined forces with other political parties in demanding that religion-based political parties must be banned and war criminals as well as collaborators disqualified from contesting elections, as its leaders Sunday held dialogue with the Election Commission (EC) on electoral reforms, report UNB and bdnews24.com.
AL Acting Chief Zillur Rahman also told the EC that releasing of its President Sheikh Hasina from jail is necessary for holding free and fair elections.
He demanded that the state of emergency be withdrawn without delay. "You have yourself said that it would be best if the emergency is withdrawn well before elections," Zillur said to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda.
"We think the emergency must go right now," he added.
Equipped with its own set of proposals, including the EC's judicial power and procedure of appointing election commissioners, an eight-member AL delegation, led by Zillur Rahman, sat with the EC to discuss the EC-designed electoral reforms.
AL Presidium Member Tofail Ahmed said, the basis of the discussion was the 14-party combine's 31-point electoral reform proposals, placed by Sheikh Hasina before the administration of Khaleda Zia.
Hasina had made the demands on behalf of the AL-led 14-party alliance, but the Khaleda administration did not adequately respond to it, he said.
"Every political party, excepting one, placed their statement on war criminals before you… Even you (CEC) also said that the work has to be done by the government… But the task will be easier for the government, if we (EC and political parties) take a decision," Tofail said during the talks.
"No war criminals, anti-liberation elements or communal forces should get registration," he told the election commissioners, as political party registration is one of the EC proposals on the table.
"It is clearly said in article 20 of the Special Powers Act (SPA) that any political party would be banned, if it does politics using religion… The law is still active… The previous government banned the extremist religious parties under this law," the AL leader said to underpin the current outcry.
However, The AL delegation asked the commission not to display a "controlling attitude" during party registration.
Asked whether the AL had forgiven war criminals, Zillur said, Bangabandhu did not forgive the murderers, rapists, arsonists and looters of the Liberation War. Some 22,000 war criminals were in jail during his tenure. Ziaur Rahman released them after taking power, he added.
The delegation stuck to their demand for the use of transparent ballot boxes in voting. "The ballot boxes must have to be transparent," Tofail told the meeting as he placed the party proposals before the EC.
The CEC said, he would use transparent ballot boxes, if it would enhance the credibility of the EC and elections. "The government will provide money," he said.
Election Commissioner M Sohul Hussain and M Sakhawat Hussain were also present at the dialogue.
The AL delegation also agreed with the EC proposal of not using the founder of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's photograph on electoral posters though they opposed it at the outset.
"The present government has established that the founder of the nation can't be any particular political party's property… The Constitution also says it," CEC Huda argued with the delegation.
Later, the AL stalwarts agreed with the EC, but proposed to include it in the Representation of People Order (RPO) so that it becomes a law, and is complied with by all.
The delegation said, they agree with most of the EC's proposals, including all the measures that are taken to reduce the electoral expenditure.
"You determine the expenditure practically, we'll accept it - be it Tk 2,00,000 or Tk 2.0 million," Tofail told the meeting.
He said, the government can reserve a percentage of the national budgets to fund the political parties' electoral expenditure based on the percentage of their acquired vote in previous elections.
The reform proposals placed before the EC by AL also included legal bars on candidature of former government functionaries for at least three years after their retirement, declaring NGO officials ineligible for polls, and canceling the commission's proposed 'no' vote.
Tofail said, "The commission agrees with many of our proposals. We will assist the EC in implementing the roadmap."
Meanwhile, the CEC, in his speech on the occasion said, the Awami League is not just a political party, but a "torchbearer of the Independence."
"You formed the Mujibnagar government, and led the Liberation War. So you must aid in development and advancement," he added.
However, on a highly politically significant note, Election Commissioner Sakhawat said, he sees a black patch of cloud at the horizon - a precursor to a storm and concomitant troubles.
"Being an expert I can see a patch of black clouds, but I don't want to tell more about that", he said.
In a style of sermons, the election commissioner said, "There should not be a situation created for us that might lead to the fall from the top. You please try to understand, and we want to get over this election."
Although Sakhawat did not explain what precise issues prompted him to make such comments in metaphorical terms, issues like restriction on war criminals and religion-based parties in participating the elections, which came up prominently during the dialogue, might have connection with his comments.