Non-partisan local polls before national election recommended

The Election Reform Commission has received several recommendations, including the proposal to hold local government elections on a non-partisan basis prior to the next parliamentary elections.

"The opinion of civil society is that local elections should be held before the national elections, as holding local elections will enhance the capacity of the Election Commission," Tofail Ahemd, a member of the Election Reform Commission, told reporters. 

"It will serve as a test for them. Additionally, the support needed at the local level for the national elections will be ensured," he said after the reform commission held a meeting with senior journalists from electronic media and editors at the Election Bhaban today.

Badiul Alam Majumder, head of the reform commission, said other recommendations they have received include a direct presidential election, a prohibition on candidates being elected unopposed, and the reintroduction of the "no vote" option.

"There has been discussion about holding the presidential election directly. Some have suggested that all elections should be direct and that local government elections should be non-partisan," he told reporters.

Tofail, also a local government expert, called for the implementation of a cycle of local elections, noting that there is currently no comprehensive system in place, adds UNB.

"The primary goal of this reform is to establish such a system," he said.

He said now is the ideal time to implement it, as most local governments are non-existent, with only union parishads remaining. "This is the right moment to shape the framework," he added.

"If we can develop a system, it will lead to a comprehensive law that encompasses all institutions, allowing us to schedule and conduct elections for all of them," he explained.

He emphasised that Bangladesh should adopt a similar system, which would make local elections less costly, save significant time, and reduce the need for a large workforce.

Badiul Alam Majumder also addressed the issue of what percentage of votes a candidate would need to secure in order to be elected.

Oath of CEC, commissioners 

The newly appointed chief election commissioner (CEC) and four other election commissioners are set to take their oaths today.

The oath-taking ceremony of the newly appointed chief election commissioner (CEC) and four other election commissioners will be held at the Supreme Court Judges' Lounge at 1:30pm today, said M Shafiqul Islam, public relations officer of the Supreme Court, yesterday.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed will administer the oath, he added.

On 21 November, President Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed former secretary AMM Nasir Uddin as the new CEC and four others as election commissioners in accordance with Article 118(1) of the Constitution.

The four other commissioners are former secretary M Anwarul Islam Sarker, retired district and sessions judge Abdur Rahman Masud, retired joint secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmad, and brigadier general (retd) Abul Fazal Sanaullah.