Editorial
Prospective dialogue between EC and political parties
Concrete results expected
The Election Commission has invited 16 political parties to talks between September 6 and 9 on the agenda of party registration with EC. We call upon the political parties to respond to the invitation positively.
The roadblock for BNP's participation in the talks seems to have been removed following Acting Secretary General Delwar Hossain's meeting with his party chief Begum Khaleda Zia in the sub-jail and EC's invitation to him for talks as the legitimate representative of the party. The AL, the other major party, has had two rounds of talks and is preparing itself for the third round.
This initiative on the part of the EC to have dialogue with political parties is set against a compelling background. The elections are only a few months away and so much is on the table to be settled and implemented to ensure free, fair and credible elections through basic reforms.
What is pivotal to the reform agenda is the registration of political parties. Our clear position is that the political parties must register themselves with the EC without any waffling. When people of all other avocations need a licence to operate why political parties should not register themselves to operate within a legal framework? They are voted by the people to represent them, legislate and exercise power on their behalf and lead the country for five years; they would perform such lofty functions and enjoy all the privileges that go with their position without fulfilling the rudimentary requirement of registration with the EC. The parties want to have the cake and eat it too, something that is unacceptable.
As for the RPO, the contents of it had been mooted by members of civil society and political parties since a long time back. The form in which it has come about is reflective of public opinion. The fact remains though, the EC and the government have taken too long a time to bring about the required ordinance. We share the political parties concern for the time constraints in adapting to the provisions. There may be practical problems for the political parties in implementing the provisions. For instance, these call for changes in the party constitution which in turn require going through various committees before adoption through the council. This can at best present a procedural problem. That is not insurmountable, if there is a will.
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