Electoral Reform Commission proposes over 200 recommendations in 16 key areas
Electing the president through voting by elected representatives and revising the tenure of the prime minister are among the notable proposals
The Electoral Reform Commission has proposed over 200 recommendations, prioritising 16 key areas, to improve various aspects of the country's election process.
The 184-page report was published on the official websites of the Cabinet Division and the commission today (8 February).
The prioritised areas for reform include the Election Commission, free and fair parliamentary elections, presidential election, prime ministerial election, the election of the upper house of parliament, women's representation in parliament, an effective parliament, the caretaker government system, local government elections, political party registration, parliamentary constituency delimitation, national identity cards, inclusion of expatriates in voter lists, updating voter lists, postal voting for expatriates, and online voting.
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Electing the president through voting by elected representatives, revising the tenure of the prime minister, increasing parliamentary seats to 400, reinstating the caretaker government system, and holding local elections before national elections are among the commission's notable proposals.
Additionally, the commission recommends establishing a permanent local government commission and cancelling candidacy if false information is found in affidavits.
Other key proposals include bringing those responsible for the "midnight voting" of the 2018 national polls under legal scrutiny, barring ICT Act convicts from political party membership, and disqualifying individuals involved in enforced disappearances and human rights violations from elections.
The commission also suggests mandating a re-election in constituencies where voter turnout is below 40% to ensure greater public participation in the democratic process.
Earlier in the day, the interim government published the full reports of the six reform commissions it had formed after taking over following the ouster of the Awami League government last year.
At a press briefing today, Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul said at least half of the short-term and immediate actions recommended by the six reform commissions can be implemented within a month.
