Bangladesh
Elections The Election Commission wants to increase the facilities
Own Correspondence, Dhaka, 19 August 2023: Only four months left for the 12th National Assembly elections. The Kazi Habibul Awal-led commission has to complete all activities centered on the parliamentary elections in these four months. Next Monday, August 21, in the meeting of the Election Commission, almost all the topics discussed will be focused on the parliamentary elections.
However, one of the hot topics is related to the 'remuneration and privileges' of election commissioners including CEC. So, does the commission want more facilities, such questions may arise in this discussion.
Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal held a closed-door meeting with Chief Justice Hasan Faiz Siddiqui on July 31. However, the journalists were informed about what was discussed in that meeting. However, the CEC said that its office (Election Commission Secretariat) would later inform the media about the details of the meeting. But till now EC has not told anything about this to the journalists.
However, in an immediate response, the Chief Election Commissioner told the EC delegation to the Supreme Court to have a courtesy meeting with the Chief Justice. At this time CEC said that our Chief Justice has taken oath. I was in the judiciary. I have come to meet him as a courtesy. This is our courtesy call. When asked whether any other issues were discussed, he told reporters, "I will not talk about it." My office will talk about the ruling in the High Court on the election issue.
A senior official of the Election Commission, who did not want to reveal his name, said that there was a long discussion about extending more privileges to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners under the special law. The CEC's meeting with the Chief Justice on July 31 may also discuss these issues. Because, the Chief Justice and CEC along with the commissioners get privileges under special laws.
Besides, the commission meeting on Monday will also discuss the 'Remuneration and Privileges Act-2023' of commissioners including CEC. It is at the forefront of the discussion. Since it will be discussed in the commission meeting, it can be said that the current commission wants to do something about increasing their powers or facilities.
