Talks with CA: Gonoforum calls for quick reforms in electoral system, EC for earliest polls

The Gonoforum has called for quick completion of reform works in the electoral system as well as the Election Commission before holding the national elections.

"We have given recommendations on several issues which the government has taken as positively," the party's Member Secretary Mizanur Rahman told reporters after a nine-member Gonoforum delegation joined a dialogue with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna today (19 October).

The team, led by the party's emeritus President Dr Kamal Hossain, also discussed controlling price hikes of essential commodities and restoration of law and order.

Mostafa Mohsin Montu, chairman of the coordinating team of Gonoforum, told reporters an independent election commission needs to be formed to ensure fair elections.

"For this, a search committee or whatever necessary should be carried out for appointing competent people in the election commission," he said, adding that otherwise, the situation will be the same as before if the election is held without completing reform works.

Asked if an election roadmap was discussed, Mostafa said, "We have not mentioned any date. We asked to hold elections at the earliest, upon completing the reforms."

Regarding any proposals from their end to amend the constitution, he said, "I will discuss it and within two days, give it in written form."

The chief adviser will hold meetings with leaders of at least 15 political parties this afternoon as part of an ongoing dialogue.

The key purpose of the dialogue is to inform the political parties about the progress of the reform work, how it can be advanced and to seek their opinions and suggestions.

The parties that will likely join the dialogues will include Gonoforum, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, Jatiya Mukti Council, Labour Party and Bangladesh Jatiya Party (Andaleeve), according to the CA's Press Wing, reports UNB.

This is the second round of dialogues in the current phase, which started on 5 October with the participation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, CPB, and some other major parties.