EC might hold dialogue with parties to remove inconsistencies: CEC

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Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda Wednesday said the commission might hold a dialogue with the registered political parties for bringing about changes in the amended Representation of People Order (RPO) to remove inconsistencies found in it during the last polls, reports UNB.
"The EC has brought about epoch-making changes in the election process in Bangladesh through the RPO," Dr Huda told the journalists after paying a call on President Zillur Rahman at Bangabhaban Wednesday.
He mentioned that the commission had found some inconsistencies in the RPO while holding some elections, including the ninth parliamentary polls in December last year. "We may sit again with the country's political parties to remove the inconsistencies."
The CEC was accompanied by the two other Election Commissioners-M Sohul Hussain and Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain during the meeting with the President.
Dr Huda said they apprised the President of the regular activities of the Election Commission, including the ongoing task of updating the voter list. "As per the rules, he (President) is our employer and we need to apprise him of our advancement of activities."
He said the commission has decided to set up server stations in every Upazila as well as sub-office at divisional and district levels with a view to institutionalising the updating process of the voter list. "The task of voter list updating should be decentralised."
When asked about LGRD Minister's view of holding the general election every three years-cutting short the five-year tenure of parliament and government-the CEC made his personal remark that it would not be rational to hold the polls after three years in a poor country like Bangladesh because some Tk 2.50-3.00 billion is needed to hold the polls involving some 1.0 million people.
He, however, said if the government takes decision and seeks the EC's suggestion, then the EC would give its opinion. "It's a political matter and decision of the government," he said.
During the meting, the President gave them a patient haring and assured them his all-out cooperation in discharging their duties.
The President highly appreciated the role of the election commission for holding a free, fair and transparent election by using digital voter list with photographs.
Secretary of the President's Office Mohammad Shafiul Alam, Military Secretary to the President Maj Gen Md Ehtesham Ul Haque and President's Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were also present at the meeting.