EC agrees in principle to ban religion-based politics

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The Election Commission (EC), at its dialogue with Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Inu) Tuesday, agreed in principle to ban religion-based politics in the country, report bdnews24.com and UNB.
The EC also agreed in principle to make war criminals as well as anti-liberation forces (individuals or institutions) ineligible to contest elections.
"Today, we reached a consensus in principle to ban religion-based politics… We'll see how it can be made effective," Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda told the JSD delegation at the dialogue.
A 12-member JSD (Inu) delegation, led by its president Hasanul Hoque Inu, Tuesday sat with the EC to discuss draft reform proposals on electoral laws as well as 'does and don'ts' for the political parties.
The demand for banning religion-based politics and preventing war criminals as well as anti-liberation individuals or institutions from contesting elections is growing since the EC has started its dialogue with selected 15 political parties on September 12.
Earlier, the EC sat with seven political parties -- Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ), Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL), Gonotontri Party, Jatiya Party (Manju), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rab), Jammat-e-Islami Bangladesh and National Awami Party (NAP-Muzaffar).
They all, excepting the IOJ and Jamaat, suggested a ban on any religion-based political party and anti-liberation forces, mentioning the name of only Jamaat.
"The EC will look into the issue with importance," CEC Huda told the JSD delegation when it placed their proposal for debarring war criminals and anti-liberation elements from contesting elections.
Quoting the Constitution, the JSD delegation said, doing politics in the name of religion is illegal, and religion cannot be used for gaining political purposes.
The JSD leaders said, it is the duty of the EC to uphold the Constitution, and it would be violation of the commissioners' constitutional oath, if they allow religion-based political parties to get registered.
"The Article 66 of the Constitution has to be amended for making the war criminals and anti-liberation forces ineligible… The matter can be treated as an academic one, but won't be effective," Election Commissioner M Sohul Hussain told the delegation.