Parties can informally meet EC to discuss reforms, says CEC

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The Election Commission (EC) seems to be in a dilemma over the question of having dialogue with the political parties on electoral reforms as the parties stand apart, and one of them split, amid the current purge, reports UNB/ bdnews24.com.
However, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda Thursday reaffirmed the EC position that talks could now be held informally with representatives of the parties on the draft proposals on reform of electoral laws.
But the question surfaced from within high-level EC sources as to with whom to hold the discussion, as rivals in the parties stood against their leaderships in the wake of political party reforms kicked off in the interim period.
The EC sources said that discussion with the political parties is not going to take place even after the lifting of the ban on indoor politics unless it is made clear who are leading which party.
"Despite the ban on indoor politics, the political parties can discuss (the proposed electoral reforms) coming to the Election Commission (EC)… There is no restriction on it… They can come informally… can discuss the reforms with us," the CEC told reporters Thursday afternoon.
Asked whether the EC would invite any political party to sit together for the discussion, Huda said they were not inviting anyone. "They can come… We are open."
The EC would formally invite the political parties when the ban on indoor politics would be lifted, he said.
Election Commissioner M Sakhawat Hussain Wednesday said the EC doesn't have any problem in discussing the reform proposals if the political parties send their nominated representatives.
Now, the EC sources said that discussion with the political parties was not going to take place just after lifting the ban on politics because of the topsy-turvy within the parties.
Against the backdrop of split of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the EC is now considering that first the political parties should set their own houses in order and then the EC would sit with them.
"The EC is in a fix as to whom we should invite and discuss with if we cannot understand who is representing and leading a party," a top source in the EC said.
Earlier in the day, Jatiya Party (Nilu) chairman Shawkat Hossain Nilu along with his party members met the EC.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Nilu said when the ban on indoor politics would go, they would form a new political party styled 'National People's Party (NPP)', dissolving their present JP faction.
Meanwhile, Communications Adviser MA Matin Thursday said the Election Commission (EC) could sit for discussion with political parties on the issues of national importance, despite the ban on politics.
Talking to reporters in his office, the adviser said, "People are engaging in political discussions at home in spite of the state of emergency. The government, therefore, should not object to the EC's holding discussions with the political parties."
Reiterating that the caretaker government's (CG) chief aim was to create and nurture an environment conducive to holding a free and fair election, Matin said. "Everyone concerned has to keep that in mind and work towards achieving this goal, and then, everything will be fine," he added.