No move yet for fresh voter list, EC reforms
CEC to talk with political parties to build confidence
Staff Correspondent
The Election Commission (EC) has not yet taken any move to prepare a fresh voter list for the next parliamentary election and reform the electoral rules as demanded by the mainstream opposition parties. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) MA Aziz however said yesterday the commission will discuss the issues soon and take decisions. The CEC also said he will hold dialogue with the political parties to build confidence as the mainstream opposition parties have rejected his appointment. Talking to reporters after a meeting on law and order ahead of Narsingdi-1 by-polls, he said the EC will start demarcating constituencies after getting the latest census report. On the Narsingdi-1 by-election slated for June 22, Aziz said the EC is taking all necessary measures to hold the polls in a free and fair manner. Sources said the EC is still undecided whether it will move with the six-point reform proposal submitted to the president by MA Syed, the immediate past CEC. TIGHT SECURITY FOR NARSINGDI BY-POLLS
The EC meeting yesterday directed the law enforcement agencies to take tight security measures to ensure peaceful atmosphere in the Narsingdi by-polls. The meeting, chaired by the CEC, reviewed the situation in Narsingdi following Saturday's killing of a BNP supporter and asked the law enforcers to take adequate measures to avoid such incidents ahead of the polls. A supporter of BNP was chopped and shot dead by miscreants at Karimganj in Narsingdi Sadar upazila Saturday night. The meeting decided that army personnel will be deployed on June 21, a day before the polling, in addition to a huge contingent of the police, BDR and ansars. "All necessity steps should be taken to conduct the polls in a free and fair manner," the CEC told the meeting attended by top officials of law enforcement agencies. Meeting sources said Election Commissioner AK Mohammad Ali expressed doubt about free and fair polls unless law and order situation improve. CEC DECLINES TO COMMENT
MA Aziz declined to comment on the writ petition filed on Saturday with the High Court challenging the validity of holding two constitutional offices by him of a judge of the Supreme Court and the CEC. "The matter is sub judice and let it be disposed of in the high court," he told reporters.
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