EC urged to amend municipal election code of conduct
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Leaders of Municipal Association of Bangladesh (MAB) have demanded amendment of the Pourasava (Election Code of Conduct) Rules 2010 and the Local Government (Pourasava) Election Rules 2010 to ensure free and fair elections.
The MAB leaders said this at a press conference at a city hotel Monday, reports UNB.
If the Election Commission (EC) does not bring the necessary amendments, the candidates, especially the mayor candidates would face many problems and would be deprived of their rights, they said.
Reading out a written statement, MAB president and Tongi Pourasava chairman Ajmat Ullah Khan said the Pourasava (Election Code of Conduct) Rules 2010 puts restriction on the distribution of 'voter-slip' to voters. This will deprive the mayor candidates of their rights to get introduced with the voters.
"As the EC put restriction on election procession and meetings, the mayor candidates would face problem in communicating with the voters within the short period available, he said and urged the EC to amend the election code of conduct.
Ajmat Ullah requested the EC to allow candidates for setting up election camp in every ward instead of the five allowed under the existing rules.
"It won't take too much time. The relevant rules can be amended very quickly. We don't want to delay the election," he said.
The MAB president sought clear clarification of section 19(2) (dha) of the Local Government (Pourasava) Act 2009.
The EC should also simplify the 12-page nomination form that contains so many sections.
MAB secretary general and Singra Pourasava Mayor Shamim Al Raji was also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, opposition BNP Monday demanded army deployment in the upcoming municipal polls to ensure free and fair voting scheduled in January next.
BNP standing committee member MK Anwar informed the journalists of his party's proposal after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda at the latter's office.
BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, senior joint secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, joint secretary general Salahuddin Ahmed and office-secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi were on the delegation.
Anwar expressed concern over the neutrality of the administrative officials as the administration has been given responsibility for acting as returning officers.
The MAB leaders said this at a press conference at a city hotel Monday, reports UNB.
If the Election Commission (EC) does not bring the necessary amendments, the candidates, especially the mayor candidates would face many problems and would be deprived of their rights, they said.
Reading out a written statement, MAB president and Tongi Pourasava chairman Ajmat Ullah Khan said the Pourasava (Election Code of Conduct) Rules 2010 puts restriction on the distribution of 'voter-slip' to voters. This will deprive the mayor candidates of their rights to get introduced with the voters.
"As the EC put restriction on election procession and meetings, the mayor candidates would face problem in communicating with the voters within the short period available, he said and urged the EC to amend the election code of conduct.
Ajmat Ullah requested the EC to allow candidates for setting up election camp in every ward instead of the five allowed under the existing rules.
"It won't take too much time. The relevant rules can be amended very quickly. We don't want to delay the election," he said.
The MAB president sought clear clarification of section 19(2) (dha) of the Local Government (Pourasava) Act 2009.
The EC should also simplify the 12-page nomination form that contains so many sections.
MAB secretary general and Singra Pourasava Mayor Shamim Al Raji was also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, opposition BNP Monday demanded army deployment in the upcoming municipal polls to ensure free and fair voting scheduled in January next.
BNP standing committee member MK Anwar informed the journalists of his party's proposal after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda at the latter's office.
BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, senior joint secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, joint secretary general Salahuddin Ahmed and office-secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi were on the delegation.
Anwar expressed concern over the neutrality of the administrative officials as the administration has been given responsibility for acting as returning officers.