JSD proposes local-govt polls first, provincial system
Thursday, 19 June 2008
The caretaker government decided to bend some rules of the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) to facilitate electioneering as schedules for election to some local bodies are likely to be announced in a couple of days, reports UNB.
Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman made the disclosure at a post-dialogue joint press briefing Wednesday on the outcome of talks between JSD (Jiku-Roton) and the caretaker government at the Chief Adviser's office.
He said the Election Commission is taking preparation to hold election to some of the local-government bodies, where it is overdue.
And the decision is 'finalised to relax some rules and regulations of the Emergency Power Rules during the election.'
The relaxation of the emergency rules, which do not allow now outdoor rallies or street campaigns, would take effect 'immediately after announcement of the poll schedules,' he added.
The EPR relaxation will be applicable only for the areas of election, he added.
It was learnt that the Election Commission would announce poll schedules for four city corporations -- Rajshahi, Khulna, Borisal and Sylhet--and some municipalities soon.
The JSD (Jiku-Roton) proposed holding local-government elections before holding the Jatiyo Songsod election to 'institutionalise democracy at the grassroots level.'
They also proposed holding referendum on Political Memorandum of Understanding or National Charter over the issues like stopping 'dynastic politics' or 'politics centring on individuals,' no reverting to pre-1/11 violent politics, reforms in politics and governing structure, continuation of the anti-corruption drive and the formation of a national security council.
General Secretary of the party Abdul Malek Roton, who led a 10-member delegation, told the joint-briefing session that they want a provincial system of government, bicameral parliament, drastic changes to the Constitution of 1972, the formation of Constitution Reform Commission and balance of power between the highest offices of the state.
Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman made the disclosure at a post-dialogue joint press briefing Wednesday on the outcome of talks between JSD (Jiku-Roton) and the caretaker government at the Chief Adviser's office.
He said the Election Commission is taking preparation to hold election to some of the local-government bodies, where it is overdue.
And the decision is 'finalised to relax some rules and regulations of the Emergency Power Rules during the election.'
The relaxation of the emergency rules, which do not allow now outdoor rallies or street campaigns, would take effect 'immediately after announcement of the poll schedules,' he added.
The EPR relaxation will be applicable only for the areas of election, he added.
It was learnt that the Election Commission would announce poll schedules for four city corporations -- Rajshahi, Khulna, Borisal and Sylhet--and some municipalities soon.
The JSD (Jiku-Roton) proposed holding local-government elections before holding the Jatiyo Songsod election to 'institutionalise democracy at the grassroots level.'
They also proposed holding referendum on Political Memorandum of Understanding or National Charter over the issues like stopping 'dynastic politics' or 'politics centring on individuals,' no reverting to pre-1/11 violent politics, reforms in politics and governing structure, continuation of the anti-corruption drive and the formation of a national security council.
General Secretary of the party Abdul Malek Roton, who led a 10-member delegation, told the joint-briefing session that they want a provincial system of government, bicameral parliament, drastic changes to the Constitution of 1972, the formation of Constitution Reform Commission and balance of power between the highest offices of the state.