Dhaka: Noting that there is no alternative to having a neutral election commission for democracy, President Abdul Hamid on Tuesday urged all the political parties to hold dialogue among themselves for holding a credible general election in the country.

There is no alternative to having a neutral election commission for democracy and all political parties along with the government should come forward and play a strong role in holding a fair general election, he said during meetings with the delegations of Khelafat Majlish and Jamiat-e-Ulama e Islam Bangladesh at Bangabhaban.

President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meetings.

The President said only discussion or dialogue can minimise the differences of opinions among the political parties. "And the political parties must create such an atmosphere and hold talks among themselves," he added.

An 11-member delegation of Khelafat Majlish, led by its secretary general Dr Ahmad Abdul Quader, placed a seven-point proposal over the formation of Election Commission (EC) at a meeting with the President.

Its proposals include preparing a law and rules for EC formation, forming a five-member search committee until the enactment of the law, incorporating an Islamic scholar in the search committee, making the EC as financial independent one and setting up a separate secretariat for the EC.

During another meeting with the President, executive president of Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh Mohammad Wakkas proposed announcing a new law to form a strong and neutral EC and appointing a retired chief justice as the chief election commissioner (CEC).

President Abdul Hamid thanked the delegates for joining the meetings hosted by him, and hoped that their proposals and opinions will help form a strong EC.