'Draft law for formation of Election Commission is flawed'
Former Chief Election Commissioner Dr. ATM Shamsul Huda said that the proposed draft law for the formation of the Election Commission seems to have many shortcomings. For the time being, it seems that this is just to form a search committee. As there is no true representation of the people in the present Jatiyo Sangsad so the major political parties need to be involved in this process. The draft law should be finalized on the basis of the views of all concerned.
He said the Election Commission should make sure that the law is acceptable to the people. A good law can take time if needed. It will not be beneficial for anyone to make flawed laws in a hurry.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the shadow parliament on Saturday (January 22), organized by the Debate for Democracy, at the FDC, entitled "The formation of an acceptable election commission depends on the goodwill of political parties." Chairman of Debate for Democracy Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran presided over the function. In his speech Hasan Ahmed Kiron suggested the names of Prof. Sirajul Islam Chowdhury , Prof. Abdullah Abu Sayeed and Dr. ATM Shamsul Huda for inclusion in the government during the election.
Dr. ATM Shamsul Huda said that in case of appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners, there should be a clear outline of qualifications and disqualifications. Those with complaints should not be considered. If the Chief Election Commissioner and other commissioners are involved in any corruption, they should be brought to justice. No one is above the law, so no person in a particular position should have indemnity for the trial of a crime. The present Election Commission could have made a better election if it had had goodwill. Their performance is not satisfactory. Although the caretaker government is not conducive to the political system, the elections held under the caretaker government have become more acceptable.
He further said that institutional development is very important for democracy and good governance. Due to lack of political will, no law has been enacted for the formation of Election Commission in the last 50 years. Good governance is hampered if there is no political will to increase institutional capacity. Punishment of government officials for corruption is very rare. But even during the Pakistan period, government officials were punished for irregularities and corruption in the civil service.
In the competition, the debaters of World University of Bangladesh defeated the debaters of Bangladesh University of Business and Technology. At the end of the competition, trophies and certificates were distributed among the participating teams.