EC proposes separation of its secretariat from PMO
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
The Election Commission has sent a proposal to the government for separating the EC secretariat from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) by an ordinance so the commission could act independently, reports UNB
"We have sent the proposal to the Chief Adviser's Office to separate the secretariat through amending the Rules of Business by promulgating an ordinance," Election Commissioner Sohul Hussain told reporters at his office on Monday afternoon.
The EC submitted the proposal to the Chief Adviser's Office on Thursday, seeking the changes, which is part of the ongoing electoral reforms, so that the commission does not have to look to the government for financial and administrative matters.
Sohul said the EC is hopeful about an immediate positive outcome of their proposal, as the caretaker government also wants to make the secretariat free from PMO.
"If the proposal is implemented, the Election Commission will not have to depend on government for funds," he said, adding that government would sanction block allocation in the budget as per the EC requirements.
The Election Commissioner said the EC would provide its financial report only to parliament and the Prime Minister would place the report before the parliament.
As proposed, the EC would be able to take necessary decisions on its own matters without having to consult the government or ask for its approval.
And the EC would be able to extend its range to the upazila level and appoint officials of its own choice.
Sohul said that earlier the EC had found constitutional amendment requisite for making the secretariat independent and observed that amendments to the Constitution couldn't be made now as there is no parliament and the country is going through a state of emergency.
Later, the EC after consultation with some constitution experts, found the way to make the secretariat free from government control by changing the Rules of Business by promulgating an ordinance.
"We have sent the proposal to the Chief Adviser's Office to separate the secretariat through amending the Rules of Business by promulgating an ordinance," Election Commissioner Sohul Hussain told reporters at his office on Monday afternoon.
The EC submitted the proposal to the Chief Adviser's Office on Thursday, seeking the changes, which is part of the ongoing electoral reforms, so that the commission does not have to look to the government for financial and administrative matters.
Sohul said the EC is hopeful about an immediate positive outcome of their proposal, as the caretaker government also wants to make the secretariat free from PMO.
"If the proposal is implemented, the Election Commission will not have to depend on government for funds," he said, adding that government would sanction block allocation in the budget as per the EC requirements.
The Election Commissioner said the EC would provide its financial report only to parliament and the Prime Minister would place the report before the parliament.
As proposed, the EC would be able to take necessary decisions on its own matters without having to consult the government or ask for its approval.
And the EC would be able to extend its range to the upazila level and appoint officials of its own choice.
Sohul said that earlier the EC had found constitutional amendment requisite for making the secretariat independent and observed that amendments to the Constitution couldn't be made now as there is no parliament and the country is going through a state of emergency.
Later, the EC after consultation with some constitution experts, found the way to make the secretariat free from government control by changing the Rules of Business by promulgating an ordinance.