Thursday, 26 December, 2024
The Chief of the Electoral Reform Commission, Badiul Alam Majumdar, has suggested the possibility of reinstating the caretaker government system, which was abolished a decade ago.
Speaking to the media on Sunday after a meeting with civil society representatives, Badiul said, "The discussions have made one thing clear: there is unanimous support for the caretaker government system. Additionally, the Election Commission must be made truly independent, empowered, and granted financial autonomy."
He further elaborated, “The Election Commission must function as a government within the government, ensuring its strength and autonomy in conducting elections effectively.”
In 1996, the BNP government, under pressure from opposition movements led by the Awami League, passed the 13th constitutional amendment in parliament, establishing the caretaker government system.
Later, when the Awami League returned to power, the hearing of the 13th Amendment case began in the Appellate Division on Mar 1, 2010. In the hearing, the top eight lawyers also presented arguments as amici curiae, in addition to the appellant and the state party.
They expressed support for maintaining the caretaker government system. Even the then attorney general Mahbubey Alam voiced his support for it.
On May 10, 2011, a full bench of seven judges in the Appellate Division, based on a majority opinion, annulled the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. At the time, the chief justice was ABM Khairul Haque.
Before the full verdict was published, the 15th Amendment to the Constitution was passed in the parliament on Jun 30, 2011, and the president approved it on Jul 3.
This amendment abolished the caretaker government system and granted constitutional recognition to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation.
Following the fall of the Awami League government, Badiul Alam Majumdar, along with four others, filed a writ petition in August seeking the repeal of the 15th Amendment to the Constitution.
In the same month, they also submitted a review petition to the Appellate Division, urging a reconsideration of the verdict that annulled the 13th Amendment. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir later filed a similar petition.
On October 3, the interim government established an eight-member Electoral Reform Commission, led by Badiul, the General Secretary of Shushasoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), to propose reforms to the electoral system. The commission has been tasked with submitting its recommendations within 90 days.
At a media briefing at the Election Commission headquarters on Sunday, Badiul said, “Past election commissions that presided over disgraceful or manipulated elections betrayed their oath and violated the Constitution. There is widespread demand to hold them accountable for their actions.”
He further stated, “The individuals we engaged with today are highly experienced researchers, and we had an open and productive discussion with them.”
Badiul emphasized the civil society's strong support for reintroducing the 'no' vote provision and called for fostering democracy within political parties. “Without internal democracy in political parties, true democracy cannot be established in the country,” he noted.
He also mentioned discussions about the presidential election, including suggestions to strengthen the powers and position of the president. “This idea was raised as part of the broader dialogue on reform,” Badiul concluded.
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The Chief of the Electoral Reform Commission, Badiul Alam Majumdar, has suggested the possibility of reinstating the caretaker government system, which was abolished a decade ago.
Speaking to the media on Sunday after a meeting with civil society representatives, Badiul said, "The discussions have made one thing clear: there is unanimous support for the caretaker government system. Additionally, the Election Commission must be made truly independent, empowered, and granted financial autonomy."
He further elaborated, “The Election Commission must function as a government within the government, ensuring its strength and autonomy in conducting elections effectively.”
In 1996, the BNP government, under pressure from opposition movements led by the Awami League, passed the 13th constitutional amendment in parliament, establishing the caretaker government system.
Later, when the Awami League returned to power, the hearing of the 13th Amendment case began in the Appellate Division on Mar 1, 2010. In the hearing, the top eight lawyers also presented arguments as amici curiae, in addition to the appellant and the state party.
They expressed support for maintaining the caretaker government system. Even the then attorney general Mahbubey Alam voiced his support for it.
On May 10, 2011, a full bench of seven judges in the Appellate Division, based on a majority opinion, annulled the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. At the time, the chief justice was ABM Khairul Haque.
Before the full verdict was published, the 15th Amendment to the Constitution was passed in the parliament on Jun 30, 2011, and the president approved it on Jul 3.
This amendment abolished the caretaker government system and granted constitutional recognition to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation.
Following the fall of the Awami League government, Badiul Alam Majumdar, along with four others, filed a writ petition in August seeking the repeal of the 15th Amendment to the Constitution.
In the same month, they also submitted a review petition to the Appellate Division, urging a reconsideration of the verdict that annulled the 13th Amendment. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir later filed a similar petition.
On October 3, the interim government established an eight-member Electoral Reform Commission, led by Badiul, the General Secretary of Shushasoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), to propose reforms to the electoral system. The commission has been tasked with submitting its recommendations within 90 days.
At a media briefing at the Election Commission headquarters on Sunday, Badiul said, “Past election commissions that presided over disgraceful or manipulated elections betrayed their oath and violated the Constitution. There is widespread demand to hold them accountable for their actions.”
He further stated, “The individuals we engaged with today are highly experienced researchers, and we had an open and productive discussion with them.”
Badiul emphasized the civil society's strong support for reintroducing the 'no' vote provision and called for fostering democracy within political parties. “Without internal democracy in political parties, true democracy cannot be established in the country,” he noted.
He also mentioned discussions about the presidential election, including suggestions to strengthen the powers and position of the president. “This idea was raised as part of the broader dialogue on reform,” Badiul concluded.
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