The Election Commission on Monday sent a letter to the National Consensus Commission, expressing its disagreement about some of the recommendations of the Electoral Reform Commission as the EC believed that these recommendations, if implemented, would erode the election commission鈥檚 independence.
EC senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed told reporters that the letter, sent to consensus commission vice-chairman Ali Riaz, expressed disagreement on nine or 10 proposals, including delimiting constituencies and responsibilities of the EC and punishment for the commissioners for failure in delivering their constitutional duties.
The letter has been sent because some of the proposals of the reform commission, if implemented, would reduce the power of the election commission,聽 said the EC secretary, while talking with reporters at the institution鈥檚 headquarters Nirbachan Bhaban at Agargaon in Dhaka city.
In the letter, the Election Commission differed from the Electoral Reform Commission over its proposal to establish a separate independent commission to delimit constituency boundaries.
The EC also objected regarding the reform commission鈥檚 recommendation of keeping equal voting strength meaning that each electoral area should have approximately the same number of voters.
鈥榃e said that it (realigning the boundaries of the constituencies) is not necessary. People are leaving villages in growing numbers and moving towards urban centres and cities and going abroad, naturally increasing voter concentration in urban areas,鈥� EC secretary Akhtar Ahmed explained.
Instead of realigning the boundaries of the constituencies based on equal electorate, it should be done based on factors, including the size of electorate, size of population, geographical location and regional integrity.
Regarding the recommendations relating to the election commission鈥檚 responsibilities and punishment for commissioners for failure in delivering constitutional duties and breach of oath, the reform commission has proposed that legal provisions should be made under which complaints against commissioners can be investigated even after their retirement.
The reform commission鈥檚 proposal suggests that such complaints can be forwarded to the president for legal action.
Objecting to the recommendation, Akhter Ahmed said, 鈥楾he EC has a punishment system. If the conditions are violated, there is the Supreme Judicial Council to resort to. Now, how realistic is it to change that law or other related laws?鈥�
He argued that it would be unreasonable to raise allegations five years after a commissioner left office, requiring them to face legal action long after the election in question.
The EC secretary said that any violations of electoral conditions should be addressed immediately.
Akhter Ahmed pointed out that elections inherently produce both winners and losers with the defeated ones feeling compelled to lodge complaints.
The reform commission has also proposed fixing the term of the caretaker government system at four months when it will carry out both national and local government elections.
The EC secretary told reporters that holding both the local and national elections within four months would not be realistically possible.
Referring to another reform proposal regarding certifying the fairness, impartiality and accuracy of a general election, while informing the public about the matter through a notification within 48 hours after the national elections, the EC secretary said, 鈥榃e don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 necessary.鈥�
鈥楾he returning officer does not announce the results if they are not satisfied with the election. This is a gazette, this is certification,鈥� he stated.
Regarding the national identity card activities, he said that it was advisable to have this service under the election commission.
