Noted jurist Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday said the repeal of caretaker government system will be a major barrier to free and fair parliamentary elections.
Terming the government's decision suicidal, he urged the Election Commission (EC) to take bold stance for the restoration of the caretaker government system through further amendment to the constitution.
"You [EC] should clarify the commission's position regarding whether it will be able to hold a free and fair election without a caretaker government. If not, you should voice for bringing the system back," he said.
Dr Kamal Hossain was speaking at a dialogue with the EC at its secretariat in the capital as part of the EC's on going discussion with political parties. He led an eight-member delegation at the two-hour dialogue with EC that started around 3:00pm.
He also spoke for giving the EC the full authority of the country's administration during the much-talked-about 90 days before the election.
On strengthening the commission, the principal author of the country's charter said the EC's major responsibility is to hold a free and fair election, "So, you [EC] should place recommendations to strengthen the commission."
He said impartial figures should be appointed to the commission. If the government appoints partisan people to the EC, the country will fall into a deep crisis.
He gave his nod to the introduction of electronic voting machine in the urban areas in the first phase and spoke for spreading the system in rural areas gradually.
The EC on June 7 launched dialogues with the political parties for their opinion on some key issues like Representation of the People Order, laws on demarcation of constituencies, appointment of election commissioners and use of electronic voting machine.
Main opposition BNP and its alliance partner Jamaat-e-Islami did not join the dialogue.
Source: The Daily Star
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