EC writes to Consensus Commission, opposes select polls reform proposals

Highlights 

• EC sent its opinions to the National Consensus Commission  
• EC opposed proposals on constituency delimitation and voter distribution  
• EC rejected the proposal for a fairness certification within 48 hours of voting 

The Election Commission has submitted its opinions to the National Consensus Commission, opposing a number of election-related reform proposals.

"Addressing Prof Ali Riaz [co-chair of the National Consensus Commission], we've sent our opinions, expressing differing views on 7-10 proposals," EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told reporters at his office in Dhaka today, reports UNB.

Talking about the EC's differing views, he said the proposal to form a separate commission for the delimitation of constituencies as recommended by the reform commission is not needed.

Besides, a formula of plus or minus 10% voters for the delimitation of constituencies is also not required, he said.

The EC argued that if the formula is followed, the number of constituencies in the urban areas will be significantly high and would be disproportionate as the influx of people towards urban areas is enormous, he said.

He mentioned another reform proposal that suggested that the EC should make an announcement through a public notification in favour of fairness, credibility and acceptance of a national election within 48 hours of the balloting and before the issuance of gazette notification.

"The EC believes this certification is not needed as returning officers do not announce unofficial results if they are not fully satisfied," Akhtar Ahmed said.

The EC secretary said they think the number of voters, overall population, and geographical integrity should rightly be considered here.

Akhtar Ahmed, however, said they agreed to the reform proposal to keep the national identity services under the authority of the Election Commission.

Now the EC is properly providing services to 186 firms from the NID server, he added