Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal on Wednesday proposed forming a constitutional council comprising the Prime Minister, the Speaker, the Chief Justice, the Opposition Leader and the Attorney General to propose names to the President for making election commissioners.

The party came up with the proposal at a meeting with President Abdul Hamid over the formation of the new Election Commission.

Samyabadi Dal general secretary Dilip Barua led the party’s 12-member delegation in the discussion held at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban.

During the 55-minute meeting, Samyabadi Dal placed a nine-point proposal over the formation of a search committee and the new EC, reports UNB.

The proposals include enacting a law as per the constitution to appoint election commissioners and picking people for the constitution of the Election Commission (EC) who are non-communal, progressive and skilled in administrative activities.

Expressing gratitude to the President for inviting them to the discussion, the delegation said it is an effective step towards reconstituting the EC.

President Hamid said the opinion and proposals of Samyabadi Dal will play a positive role in forming a strong EC.

Besides, National Awami Party (NAP) met the President and proposed taking steps by the government to enact a law for the formation of Election Commission (EC).

NAP executive president Amina Ahmed led the party’s 10-member delegation in the discussion held at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban.

During the meeting, NAP placed a 7-point proposal over the formation of a search committee and the new EC.

The proposals include forming a search committee with former justices, former vice-chancellors of public universities and other professions having belief in the Liberation War spirit.

The delegation also proposed arranging debate and meeting with candidates prior to national elections with a view to holding elections in free and fair manner.

President Hamid said the opinion and proposals of political parties will play a positive role in forming a strong EC.

The President initiated the formal talks with political parties about the EC formation with holding discussions with BNP on December 18 last year.

He took the dialogue initiative as the tenure of the current Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad-led EC expires in February.

Secretaries concerned to the President Office were present.