The Election Commission (EC) will start dialogue with the political parties on electoral reform issues from September 12. The EC will primarily sit with the representatives of 15 political parties, including BNP, Awami League, Jamaat-e-Islami and Jatiya Party (Ershad).( The New Nation )

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda disclosed this at a press conference at his office yesterday.

He hoped that the government by this time would lift ban on indoor politics to create a congenial atmosphere for the dialogue.

According to the schedules, the EC planned to sit with Awami League (AL) on November 4, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on November 22, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh on October 25 and Jatiya Party (Ershad) on September 27.

The schedules, prepared in accordance with Bangla alphabetical order, for other political parties are: Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ) on September 12, Krishak Sramik Janata League on September 16, Ganotantrik Dal on September 20, Jatiya Party (Manju) on October 4, JSD (Inu) on October 9, JSD (Rab) on October 22, NAP (Mozaffar) on October 28, Workers Party on November 11, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (Naziur) November 15, CPB on November 25 and Samyabadi Dal on November 29.

He said the 15 political parties have been selected on the basis of three criteria. The criteria include the parties that secured at least one parliamentary seat in any general election since the independence of Bangladesh or the parties that got at least two per cent of the votes cast in any general election or the parties that have offices in 32 district and upazila headquarters and have minimum 1,000 members.

The CEC said the agenda of the dialogue would focus on the Representation People's Order, 1972, the Political Party Registration Rules, 2001 and the Election Codes of Conduct, 1996. Besides, Shamsul Huda said, discussions may be held on a proposal on transparent ballot boxes.

He said the invitations and a set of draft electoral rules would be sent to the political parties for dialogue addressing general secretary of the respective political parties from today (Wednesday) through special messengers.

"In case, one or two parties are skipped in the process by mistake, the EC will call them later," the CEC said.

Replying to question on his Tuesday's meeting with the Chief Advisor, the CEC said that he did not get any indication that the ban would not be lifted.

Asked about EC's next course of action if the ban on indoor politics is neither lifted nor relaxed, he said the EC would inform the Government of its steps and the Government would certainly take measures to help implement the EC's roadmap.

He said the dialogue with political parties would be held in accordance with the roadmap announced on July 15.

"Our roadmap was announced after showing it to the government and the government assured of its support to us," he said.

Shamsul Huda said, the Government must accept our demand and assist us, as the commission is a constitutional body.

According to the roadmap the EC will hold the discussions with the political parties in September-November.