Dhaka: Bangladesh Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said her party does not want any controversy over elections in the future as it wants the party that will be voted by people to govern the country.

‘Awami League is respectful of the country’s constitution and existing laws. Awami League has full confidence and trust in the deep wisdom and forethought of the honorable President’s long political career’, President’s press secretary Joynal Abedin quoted the AL chief as saying.

‘The party will extend full support to any judicious step to be taken by the President for constituting the Election Commission (EC),’ she added.

Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after a meeting between President Abdul Hamid and an Awami League delegation at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban over the formation of the new EC.

During the 90-minute meeting, Awami League proposed introducing e-voting in the next general election along with the existing rules and regulations for holding a free, fair and neutral election and ensuring people’s voting rights.

At the meeting that started at 4:05 pm, the ruling party, like other political parties, proposed enacting law as per the constitution to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and other commissioners.

Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led the party’s 19-member delegation in the discussion.

The other delegation members are AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, Advisory Council members Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, AMA Muhith, HT Imam, Yusuf Hossain Humayun, Mohammad Zamir; presidium members  Mohammad Nasim, Matia Chowdhury, Sahara Khatun and Syed Ashraful Islam; joint general secretaries Dr Dipu Moni and  Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Legal Affair secretary Abdul Matin Khasru, Publicity and Publication secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud, office secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap and Law Minister  Anisul Huq.

‘If possible, an ordinance can be promulgated for enacting law right now with a view to appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and other commissioners. If it’s not possible now due to time constraint, then steps need to be taken so that the law can be formulated in the light of the constitution for future Election Commission formation,’ said Hasina.

She also said the President will appoint the CEC and the election commissioners as per the process which he deems suitable.

At the meeting, Abdul Hamid said the role of the Election Commission is very important, and hoped that it will be possible to form a strong EC with the cooperation from all political parties.

President Hamid also said law and order situation and support of political parties are also important during elections.

Secretaries concerned to the President Office were present.

The President initiated the formal talks with political parties about the EC formation with holding discussions with BNP on December 18 last year. He has so far held meetings with 23 political parties.

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