Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 285 Wed. March 16, 2005  
   
Front Page


Women's reserved seats a blow to democracy
Says Dr M Zahir


Senior Supreme Court lawyer Dr M Zahir yesterday said the 14th amendment to the constitution that introduced the provision for 45 reserved seats of women in parliament is a big blow to the concept of democracy.

Women parliament members who are without any constituencies are not accountable to the citizens, he said during the hearing of three petitions filed challenging the amendment in the High Court bench comprising Justice MA Matin and Justice AFM Abdur Rahman.

The amendment seeks to defy the basic structure and doctrine of

constitutional law, Dr Zahir said, terming it a step derogatory to the preamble and fundamental principles of state policy.

He said the coalition government has deceived people as it had included women's direct election in its election pledge.

Different women organisations, social and rights bodies and leaders of opposition political parties filed three separate petitions last year challenging the new provision for women's reserved seats and its election process in parliament.

Barrister Tanjib-ul Alam assisted Dr Zahir.