Caretaker system may return as everyone backs, says ERC chief

'EC must be stronger like another govt under govt'

FE Team | Published: November 25, 2024 00:56:05

The Electoral Reform Commission (ERC) chief Badiul Alam Majumdar has hinted at reviving the caretaker government system, which was abolished a decade ago, reports bdnews24.com.
After a meeting with representatives from civil society on Sunday, he said: "What is clear from this discussion is that everyone has agreed on the caretaker government system. The Election Commission must be made independent, strengthened, and particularly given financial autonomy."
Badiul added, "The Election Commission must become another government under the government - in this way, they will become stronger."
In 1996, the BNP government, under pressure from opposition movements led by the Awami League, passed the 13th constitutional amendment in parliament, establishing the caretaker government system.
Later, when the Awami League returned to power, the hearing of the 13th Amendment case began in the Appellate Division on Mar 1, 2010. In the hearing, the top eight lawyers also presented arguments as amici curiae, in addition to the appellant and the state party.
They expressed support for maintaining the caretaker government system. Even the then attorney general Mahbubey Alam voiced his support for it.
On May 10, 2011, a full bench of seven judges in the Appellate Division, based on a majority opinion, annulled the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. At the time, the chief justice was ABM Khairul Haque.
Before the full verdict was published, the 15th Amendment to the Constitution was passed in the parliament on Jun 30, 2011, and the president approved it on Jul 3.
This amendment abolished the caretaker government system and granted constitutional recognition to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation.