MPs in Office During Polls
Menon demands scrapping of provision
Workers Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon yesterday reiterated his demand to scrap the constitutional provision allowing lawmakers to remain in office during parliamentary polls.
“If the provision is not scrapped, the parliamentary polls will not be neutral,” he said at a press conference at the party office in the capital.
Earlier on June 25, Menon and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haq Inu placed the same proposal in parliament.
The latest constitutional amendment last year introduced provision No. 123 (3) stating that parliamentary polls will be held within 90 days preceding dissolution of the House.
This means that the present parliament members will remain in office during the next parliamentary election, with the Awami League-led alliance still in power.
“One person will compete as a sitting MP while another will compete as an intending MP in the next parliamentary polls. How will they get equal opportunities and where will be the level-playing field?” asked Menon.
On why he did not present a note of dissent as a member of the parliamentary special committee on constitutional amendment, Menon said, “It is not possible to talk about the inside stories in detail. I did not want to embarrass the committee.”
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