BNP has proposed to the Election Commission (EC) that controversial officials be excluded from the election process in the upcoming 13th parliament elections, along with a complete overhaul of the field administration prior to the election.
On Thursday, a three-member BNP delegation, led by Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan, met with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin and presented these proposals.
At the meeting, the party put forward a 36-point proposal, which also includes ensuring the presence of law enforcement agencies at least one week prior to voting and avoiding the appointment of election officers from institutions such as Islami Bank, Ibn Sina and Al-Arafah Bank.
Additionally, the party recommended granting judicial powers to EC officials and suspending instructions related to the formation of managing committees or governing bodies in educational institutions, according to a document titled “Proposals for the Election Commission’s Meeting on Actions Required for a Free and Fair Election” prepared by the party.
After the meeting, Moyeen Khan told reporters that organising the election would require a large manpower. “At least 1 million people will be needed for the election. The question then arises, who will these people be?” he asked.
“What we have seen is that the administrative divisions of the country have been politically motivated. Those whom the Awami League used are unlikely to have everything purified in just 15 months. Therefore, the EC must be cautious,” he said.
He added that the party seeks the assistance of the military to maintain law and order during the elections.
When asked about forming coalitions, Moyeen Khan said, “On behalf of BNP, we are still open. We will make these decisions at the appropriate time.”
What’s in BNP’s proposals
In its 36-point proposal, BNP states that both the government and the EC must take a firm stance in the model of a neutral caretaker government. This should be done immediately to guarantee transparency and fairness in the election process.
Additionally, it stresses that officials involved in the past three controversial elections should be identified and excluded from election duties in the upcoming election.
The party also suggests appointing Election Commission officials, alongside administrative officers, as returning officers. It has further called for ensuring the presence of military forces, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), police, and other law enforcement agencies at least one week before the election to ensure strict security at polling stations.
The proposals also suggest installing CCTV cameras for monitoring areas outside the secret rooms of polling stations and recommend the establishment of complaint resolution centres in every district and upazila election office as soon as the election schedule is announced.
In addition, BNP has expressed concern over the Ministry of Education’s sudden directive to complete the governing body elections in various educational institutions by 1 November, calling it a politically motivated move. The party has demanded an immediate suspension of these elections.
The party further emphasised that officials and employees of institutions known for their political affiliations, such as Islami Bank, Al-Arafah Bank, Islami Bank Hospital, and Ibn Sina, should not be appointed in any election-related positions.
Among other proposals, BNP called for the immediate surrender of all weapons issued on a political basis during the tenure of the “fascist” government before the election schedule is announced. The party also seeks the cancellation of all contractual appointments in election-related institutions and embassies, and urged that any campaigns promoting religious and communal hatred be stopped.
