Awal Commission intends to resign

EC members rarely come in office

Mahfuz Emran: The fall of the Awami League government in the uprising of students and the Election Commission (EC) is one of the institutions in crisis after the formation of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Four commissioners, including the chief election commissioner, who are in the driver’s seat of this important constitutional institution of the state, have prepared to resign. However, they are waiting for the government’s message. They tried to meet the top level of the government to know their position and what to do. However, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal tried to convey their position to the government or the people by writing a column in a national daily without the government’s response.
It has been found that after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, CEC Kazi Habibul Awal, Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Ahsan Habib, Md. Alamgir, Begum Rashida Sultana was present at the office. Commissioner Anisur Rahman did not appear at work on this day. Since then, the CEC and others have been holding office irregularly as per their convenience. However, they held an emergency meeting on August 12. It is known that they discussed resignation in that meeting. In the meeting, the chief adviser to find out the position of the government on resignation. It was also decided to meet Muhammad Yunus. In this case, CEC himself based on pre-identification sources. It was decided to try to meet Yunus. However, sources from the Election Commission and the Chief Adviser’s office said that no response was received from the Chief Adviser’s office for the meeting despite various attempts. It should be noted that the day after the fall of the government, a banner was hung at the main gate of the election building demanding the resignation of the election commissioner.
It is known that Ahsan Habib is working regularly among the commissioners. Others come to the office occasionally. Commissioner Anisur Rahman rarely comes.
Soon after the formation of the interim government, 5 judges of the Appellate Division including the Chief Justice and the Attorney General resigned,among the constitutional institutions, Election Commission, Public Works Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) are yet to resign. On the other hand, among the statutory bodies, the chairman of the Law Commission and the VCs of various public universities have resigned. However, none of the important statutory body Anti-Corruption Commission has resigned yet. It is known that like the EC, the commissioners including the ACC chairman also prepared to resign. However, the government has a somewhat slow-moving policy on resignations without a green signal.
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal wrote an opinion column in a national daily after receiving no response from the Chief Adviser’s Office regarding the meeting. Referring to the fall of Awami League’s dictatorship on August 5 through the successful revolution of the students, he wrote that the Election Commission is in a constitutional crisis. No one is available to discuss. Therefore, as the head of the commission, I think it is appropriate to inform the people by writing in the newspaper.
CEC wrote that the Election Commission is in crisis with the constitution and the successful post-revolutionary constitutional situation. But this will not solve the crisis. Parliament was dissolved in an unconstitutional process. In terms of reality, it has to be broken. If the Constitution is upheld then the Election Commission will have to conduct the general election of the National Parliament within 90 days as per the provisions of Article 123(3)(b) of the Constitution. If not, then the commissioners would have committed an offense punishable with death under the provisions of Article 7B.
Meanwhile, after taking the responsibility of the chief adviser of the interim government. Muhammad Yunus addressed the nation for the first time on Sunday (August 25). There he talked about reforming government institutions including the Election Commission. He said, we will also reform the Election Commission as part of the reform. Will keep the commission ready for ideal selection anytime.
Dr. Yunus said that free, fair and participatory elections will be organized by completing the necessary reforms in the administration, judicial department, election commission and electoral system, law and order sector and information flow to give a successful outcome to the student uprising.
Talking to some EC officials close to the election commissioners, it is said that all the commissioners have prepared to resign. They have already taken the personal belongings and documents in the office home.
It is known that among the commissioners, Anisur Rahman is ready to resign voluntarily, but others are waiting for the government’s message. If they receive instructions from the government, they will withdraw accordingly. However, according to government sources, even though the Election Commission is included in their reforms, it is not their priority right now. Right now, they want to bring a stable environment in the country by paying attention to the essential institutions including law enforcement and public administration. After that, he will give hands to other institutions. According to the law, the judicial department, PSC and CAG have a role to play in appointing the new election commission, so they will emphasize on reforming these institutions first.
In this regard, CEC Kazi Habibul Awal said, I have written an article about my position or that of the commission. There I tried to explain the position. Understand from what you understand.
When asked whether there are any preparations to resign, he said, “At the moment we have no preparations to resign.” You will know when you need it.
Election expert for good governance, citizen-wellness secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar told that no one has confidence in the current Election Commission. So, I think this institution will be a priority in terms of reforms of the present government. Pointing out that the government has not yet started any reform process, he said, it is not yet time to say which of the institutions will be reformed first and which later. It can be said that if the government works on reforms.
Stating that the current commission should leave, Badiul Alam said that it is up to them whether they will resign at this moment or take time. However, I think they need to talk to the government.