CEC for appointment of EC chief through political consensus

FE Report Chief Election Commi-ssioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda said the EC (Election Commission) cannot alone ensure free, fair and credible elections and urged all the stakeholders, including politicians, to come up with their supportive role. "The EC is doing its best to hold free, fair and acceptable polls. Other parties should do their part in this respect," the CEC said while addressing as chief guest the monthly luncheon meeting of American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) at a city hotel Tuesday. The topic of the event was "Role of the election commission in conducting a free and fair election." Amcham president Aftab-ul-Islam presided over the function where election commissioner M Shakhawat Hossain, former advisers to the caretaker government, businessmen, lawmakers, civil society members and NGO (non-governmental organisations) activists were also present. ATM Shamsul Huda suggested that the CEC could be appointed through an all- party vigilance team to allay the suspicion of politicians, particularly the opposition leaders about his partisan role as the ruling party normally nominates the CEC. He said such nomination causes a problem psychologically. "If the nomination was made in line with the opinion of all the political parties, many of the major problems will be resolved," he said, adding that the losers should have the mentality to accept the people's verdict. He said holding free, fair and credible polls means that all the eligible citizens are being enrolled in the voter lists and can go to the polling stations for casting votes without any fear. "Another key element of such election is proper vote counting. The EC is working hard to ensure the atmosphere. But unfortunately in many cases we do not receive any support from the candidates and supporters as well," he said. The CEC said Bangladesh is a country where many people like law enforcers, polling officials and Bangladeshi expatriates working abroad cannot cast their votes. "Being citizens of the country, they have the right to do so. It should be considered seriously," he said. Mr Huda, whose tenure will end in February next, said the future election commissioners should focus on the matter that millions of Bangladeshi expatriates, polling staffs and law enforcers can cast their votes. He suggested that the parliamentary elections could be held in separate dates for ensuring participation of all in the electoral process, which is first step of democracy.