Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal (M-L) placed a five-point proposal, including enacting a time-befitting law over the formation of an acceptable Election Commission (EC), in its dialogue with President M Abdul Hamid on Tuesday.
The party, a partner of the Awami League-led 14-party alliance, also proposed the formation of an election-time government under the leadership of the Prime Minister in line with the constitution, reports BSS.
While addressing the regular briefing after the dialogue, President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin said a six-member delegation of Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal took part in the talks at Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban on Tuesday evening.
Dilip Barua, the general secretary of the party, led the delegation.
They proposed to form a council consisting of constitutional bodies to form a "Search Committee" in the absence of the specific law in this connection.
The left-leaning party thanked the President for initiating talks with the political parties to form the EC.
Welcoming the leaders at Bangabhaban, the President said the well-thoughts of the political parties are very important for the formation of an independent, neutral and acceptable Election Commission.
The head of the state said the formation of the Election Commission is the constitutional responsibility of the President.
Stressing on holding a free, fair and credible election, President Hamid said it was important to ensure a healthy environment in the political arena and "this was a task of the political parties also".
President's Office Secretary Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin and Secretary (Attachment) Md Wahidul Islam Khan were present there.
On December 20, the first day of the ongoing dialogue with the political parties, the President began the talks with the Jatiya Party, the main opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament).
The dialogue with Jatiya Party (JP) will be held at 6 pm and Jamiate Ulamaye Islam Bangladesh at 7 pm on Wednesday.
The dialogue with the Gano Front is scheduled at 6 pm and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at 7 pm on Thursday.
Dialogue with Krishak Sramik Janata League will be held on January 9 at 6 pm and Bangladesh Muslim League (BML) at 7 pm on that day.
Talks with the Jatiya Party (JP) will be held on January 10 at 6 pm while another dialogue with Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) will be held at 7 pm.
According to the schedule of dialogue, the President will hold talks with the Islami Front Bangladesh at 6 pm on January 11 (Tuesday) and with the Bangladesh National Awami Party (Bangladesh NAP) at 7 pm on the same day.
No date has yet been set for talks with other political parties. However, a total of 13 parties sat for the dialogue with the President till Tuesday, the press secretary added.
Earlier, a dialogue was held with the participation of political parties ahead of the ninth, tenth and eleventh parliamentary elections.
The President has been given the power to appoint CECs and no more than four Election Commissioners. In the last few terms, the President has formed the Election Commission on the basis of the recommendations of the Search Committee.
The current EC's five-year tenure will end on February 14 next year. During this period, the President will form a new EC, under which the twelfth parliamentary polls will be held.
