Electoral reform commission chief Badiul Alam Majumder said on Monday that reform of the constitution would be needed for the implementation of some suggestions came from public opinion on electoral reform.
Badiul made the remark while talking to reporters after a meeting with electoral experts and other stakeholders at the Election Commission headquarters in Dhaka.
The electoral reform commission began the discussions with the stakeholders with a meeting with former chief election commissioner Mohammad Abu Hena.
About the necessary reform of the constitution, Badiul said that the commission would consult with constitution reform commission someday.
Recently, the electoral reform commission decided to send letters to 22 political parties, excluding the Awami League and its allies, soliciting their suggestions on holding a free and fair election.
Badiul said, 鈥楾here is nothing to negotiate with the political parties and we聽 will seek suggestions from the political parties on how could a fair election be held.鈥櫬犅�
Talking to journalists, former chief election commissioner Abu Hena said that he did not think a proportionate electoral system would work in Bangladesh.
Citing electoral examples in Nepal and Israel, he said, 鈥楾he existing electoral system in Bangladesh is effective as the citizens are familiar with it. We only need the proper implementation of the election laws and an efficient Election Commission.鈥�
Abu Hena-led Election Commission managed the general election in 1996.
He also recommended improvement of political culture to nominate grassroots politicians as candidates.
The constitution reform commission sat with several rights organisations on Monday.
At the commission office on the parliament premises, Professor Ali Riaz-led commission held meeting with 31 representatives from 16 organisations, said a press release.
The organisations were Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, Association for Land Reform in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Women Lawyers Association, River and Delta Research Centre, Women with Disabilities Development Foundation, Campaign for Popular Education, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, Nari Paksha, Bangladesh Islamic Law Research and Legal Aid Centre, Human Rights Support Society, Ain O Salish Kendra, Change Initiative, Banchte Shekha, Consumers Association of Bangladesh, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust and Bangladesh Intellectual Movement.
The commission members Dhaka University professors Sumaiya Khair and Muhammad Ekramul Haque, lawyers Imran Siddique, Sharif Bhuiyan, M Moin Alam Ferozi and writer Firoz Ahmed were present at the meetings.
The commission would also sit with other professionals and organisations, said the release.
