DHAKA: Ahead of the 2018 national parliamentary polls, the Election Commission (EC) was recommended a cluster of proposals including auditing of the voter lists by a third neutral party.
Besides, necessary training for the poll auditors and introducing a ‘voter day’ each year were also stressed in the proposals.
Representatives from some 33 poll monitoring organizations placed the recommendations at a dialogue with the EC at EC meeting room Sunday (October 22).
Some higher officials of EC including its acting secretary were present at the dialogue chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda.
In presence of the monitoring organization representatives, the CEC launched the dialogue through delivering keynote speech at around 11:00am.
Election Working Group (EWG) Director Abdul Alim recommended for auditing the upcoming 2018 parliamentary poll by a third party audit group.
“Necessary steps should be taken against the regular delay in providing the identity cards to the auditors, as dilly-dallying was marked on this each time”, he said.
Claiming that the EC doesn’t investigate any auditing work, Alim said, “EC never take action after investigating the functioning of the auditors. There is no example of cancelling registration of any monitoring organization, considering any reason.”
“Therefore, proper action should be taken after running probe to check whether the auditors serve their duties properly”, added Alim.
Emphasizing over observing the occasion of voter list issue, he said it will raise awareness among all if the first day of the year is observed as the ‘voter day’.
Fair Election Monitoring Alliance (FEMA) Vice President Munira Khan said that the age limit should be reduced to 25-20 for the poll auditors.
She also agreed with the proposal for auditing the local polls by the local auditors.
She, however, disagreed over introducing the use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).
It may create controversy, she said.
Jatiya Nirbachan Parjabekkhan Parishad (JANIPOP) founder Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah stressed over investigation to check whether the monitoring organizations are registered by the EC or whether they have any political involvement.
“The pseudo organizations should be stripped off the registration if they are found neglecting the duties. Simultaneously, training program should be initiated for the poll monitoring bodies”, he said.
The EC, however, advised the monitoring groups to serve their duties with an impartial view.
The EC will end its series of dialogues by sitting with the election experts Tuesday (October 24) followed by the women leaders Monday (October 23).
Meanwhile, dialogues were held with the representatives of civil society, mass media and some 40 political parties.
BDST: 1719 HRS, OCT 22, 2017
SI/SMS
