Are 154 MPs public representatives?: Dr Kamal

Noted jurist Dr Kamal Hossain on Thursday raised a question whether 154 members of parliament (MPs) elected unopposed are public representatives. While appearing as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in connection with a writ petition challenging the validity of the section 19 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), Dr Kamal made the remark before the High Court Division bench comprising Justice Mirza Hossain Haider and Justice M Khurshid Alam Khan. Terming unprecedented the 154 MP candidates’ election unopposed, Kamal, one of the framers of the constitution, submitted that the principle of the constitution was democracy, and all powers in the Republic belong to the people. “So, according to the constitution, the elected representatives will exercise their power on behalf of people,” he contended. “Can we call those elected unopposed public representatives?” he questioned, according to a news agency.