National Citizen Party-NCP on Tuesday proposed that the Election Commission be made accountable to the Supreme Judicial Council for any allegations raised against it, both during and after its tenure.
“The Election Commission must be brought under accountability. …For any type of allegation against the Commission—whether it's irregularities, corruption, violation of the electoral code of conduct, or breach of constitutional responsibilities by the commission—the Supreme Judicial Council can settle it,” said NCP joint convener Sarwar Tushar.
The NCP leader said this during a break of its second day talks with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of Jatiya Sangsad Complex.
Since there are objections to bringing EC’s accountability under a proposed parliamentary committee, NCP proposed that the Supreme Judicial Council can investigate any complaints against the EC, he said.
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An NCP delegation, led by its member secretary Akhtar Hossain, joined the dialogue started in the morning with Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz in the chair.
At the outset of the discussion, the NCP submitted an outline for fundamental reforms to the Consensus Commission.
In the outline, the NCP said although the Election Commission functions as an independent constitutional institution, it cannot remain above accountability in any way. “An impartial and institutional mechanism is needed to effectively hold the Commission accountable, free from political interference,” it said.
If there is any allegation of serious irregularities, biasness, corruption, abuse of power or violation of the Constitution against any current or former member of the Commission, it shall be subject to investigation by the “Supreme Judicial Council,” said the NCP.
“The Supreme Judicial Council will be able to investigate and prosecute commissioners not only during their tenure but also after their retirement if there is credible evidence of irregularities or partiality in their activities. It will ensure that no person can escape responsibility for any crime committed during their tenure,” said the newly formed party.
Earlier, the Electoral Reform Commission had suggested that a parliamentary standing committee shall investigate post-tenure complaints against the Election Commission in case of any irregularities. But several political parties including BNP opposed fearing that the commissioner might be victims of political vendetta.
In this context, NCP has come forward with a fresh proposal.
Turning to his party’s another proposal, Sarwar Tushar said the NCP supports making opposition members as chairpersons of key parliamentary committees—such as Public Accounts, Public Administration, Planning and Home Ministries related committees.
Raising NCP’s proposal regarding the constitutional amendments, the NCP leader said there must be a provision for a referendum to bring changes to the Constitution over fundamental issues such as power structure or state principles. But routine amendments can be done with a two-thirds majority in parliament, he said.
On the appointment of the Chief Justice, Tushar said political parties have recommended selecting the most senior among the top three justices, but the NCP is for picking the senior most justice as the chief justice.
Regarding asset declarations by government employees, he said the Commission proposed submitting statements every three fiscal years. “We say it should be done every fiscal year—government officials must submit their statements (of their assets) annually,” he said.
About women's representation, he said the NCP supports direct elections in 100 seats for women in the lower house and proposed 25 percent of members in the upper house to be women.
He said they voiced concerns over the idea of a provincial government, saying, “We believe it’s risky for Bangladesh at this moment. Instead, we can strengthen local government institutions.”
Sarwar Tushar said NCP also agreed with the proposals to create two new divisions—Faridpur and Cumilla.
He said their party opposed the Commission’s recommendation to empower district magistrates to accept legal cases, as well as proposal to abolish district councils and upazila vice-chairman posts.
He said a Union Parishad chairman must be directly elected by the people, not by votes of the UP members.
The NCP leader said the symbols of political parties should not be used in the local body elections.