Election Commission (EC) secretary M Humayun Kabir today reiterated that the commission would not finalize the proposed electoral reforms before discussion with the political parties.

As part of making the electoral laws time-befitting and consonant with the demand of various quarters, the EC would talk to political parties before making any amendment to the existing laws, he said in his weekly press briefing at the EC secretariat.

Kabir said the draft proposals prepared by the EC for amendment to the "Representation of People's Order-1972" and "Electoral Code of Conduct" will be discussed with the editors and senior journalists on May 17.

He said the reassessment examination of 320 Upazila Election Officers (UEO) would be held on May 18 and a candidate must secure 50 percent marks to qualify.

Regarding the involvement of the army with the preparation of the voter list, the EC secretary said the army assistance would help check duplicate registration of voters.

The secretary said all activities of the EC are being accomplished keeping in mind the 18-month timeframe. By any means preparation of the voter list would be completed within the schedule, he said.

He said the foreign consultants who joined EC would provide technical assistance in preparing the voter list. Leader of the consultant team Steve Kanham had been involved with computerization of the voter list earlier also, the EC secretary said.

Kabir said EC does not need to hire any expert for registration of the voters. The existing manpower of EC is quite competent to do the job, he said.

 

© The Bangladesh Journal