Dialogue with Bangladesh Islami Front
Checking poll expense a big challenge
Says chief election commissioner
The major challenge of the Election Commission lies in checking campaigning expenditure in both parliamentary and local government elections, according to the commission head.
Despite repeated attempts, the commission cannot control excessive spending for election campaigning, as it is an invisible offence, said Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda. "It is not a problem only in our country, but in most of the democracies around the world."
Dr Huda was speaking at a dialogue with Bangladesh Islami Front at the commission's secretariat in the city as part of its ongoing dialogue with the registered political parties.
About post-poll violence, the CEC said that in most cases, defeated parties attacked the winners after announcement of result. It indicates the contenders cannot tolerate accepting defeat. This culture should end for democracy to flourish, he added.
Election Commissioner M Sakhawat Hussain stressed the need for reviewing existing laws to strengthen the commission.
He also opined for a new law that would direct four ministries including the home, LGRD and cooperatives, defence, and public administration to work in consultation with the EC during election period.
A 13-member delegation of Bangladesh Islami Front led by its Chairman MA Mannan recommended at the dialogue that the electronic voting machine (EVM) be introduced in phases in different local government elections before the parliamentary election.
The EC on June 7 launched dialogues with the political parties for their opinion on some key issues like RPO; laws on demarcation of constituencies and appointment of election commissioners; and introduction of the EVM.
The main opposition BNP and its alliance partner Jamaat-e-Islami did not join the EC dialogue.
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