Chiefs of Workers Party andJatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), two allies of Awami League-led ruling grandalliance, have proposed amending the Constitution to scrap an existingprovision that allows MPs to remain in office during parliamentary polls.
Leaders of the two parties,Rashed Khan Menon and Hasanul Haque Inu brought the proposal in the Parliamentsaying, this provision must be scropped to ensure a free and fair election.
The latest constitutionalamendment carried out in 2011, has introduced the provision for parliamentarypolls within 90 days preceding the dissolution of the House. This meanslawmakers of this Parliament will remain in office when the next parliamentaryelections will be held with the AL-led alliance still in power.
Terming the provisiondiscriminatory, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon said credibility ofthe election will naturally be questioned if this provision exists. "Wehave been talking about a level-playing field for holding fair parliamentarypolls. If this provision remains, how a level-playing field will be ensuredbetween sitting MPs and intending MPs," Menon questioned while speaking onthe proposed budget.
He said such a provision does notexist in any country including India, Pakistan, Canada and New Zealand.
"So, this provision must bechanged to ensure credibility of the next parliamentary polls," Menonsaid. He also urged the government to determine the composition of the interimgovernment which will remain in office during the next parliamentary polls.
Participating in the budgetdiscussion, JSD President Hasanul Haq Inu supported Menon's proposals.
"I did not want to repeatthe proposals of Menon due to constraint of time. So, I just said I support hisproposals," Inu told reporters at Parliament Journalist Lounge after hisspeech.
But the AL remains rigid on itsstance. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on June 11 at a meeting of ALParliamentary Party asked her party MPs to take preparations for the nextparliamentary polls. She reiterated her stance that the election process wouldbegin three months before dissolution of current Parliament.