Act neutrally, allow advisers to function properly
Protirodh Committee urges CA
Staff Correspondent
Samajik Protirodh Committee, an alliance of 38 rights organisations, yesterday urged the Chief Adviser to the caretaker government (CG) to act neutrally and allow the advisers to perform their duties properly.At a press conference at the National Press Club in the city, the alliance leaders placed a 16-point demand to the (CG) to meet them within its tenure and if it is not possible then refer them to next government for their realisation. The demands included removing chief election commissioner (CEC), reconstituting the Election Commission (EC), improving law and order and recovering illegal arms to hold a free and fair election. Besides, fixing electoral expenditure and cancelling nomination if the limit is violated, declaring loan defaulters incompetent for contesting election and reshuffling the administration from central to grassroots level are also included in their demands. The alliance also demanded ban on using religion as a tool of electoral campaign, preparing fresh voter list and cancelling recruitment of 300 election officers. In a written statement, Rekha Chowdhury of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad demanded restoring Women's Development Policy 1997 and ensuring women's equal rights in all spheres of life. "The present caretaker government is not acting as a collective body and as such unnecessary delay is being made in taking decisions," said Dr Hamida Hossain, a rights activist. Quoting a remark of Adviser Yasmeen Murshed, Mahila Parishad General Secretary Ayesha Khanam said the advisers are acting irresponsibly while they should deliver balanced speech. The president assumed the charge of chief adviser violating the constitution and recruited an information officer outside the organisational structure, journalist Nasimun Ara Huq said, adding that he even did not give any clarification on the circular ordering for army deployment. The speakers said the chief adviser should be neutral in performing his duty for holding a free and fair election. Nazma Akhter of Awaj Foundation, Selina Khalek of Bangladesh Mahila Samity and Mamtaz Begum of Mahila Muktijoddha Sangsad also spoke at the press conference where representatives of Karmajibi Nari, Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangha, Ain O Shalish Kendra, Women for Women and Baushi were present.
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