Electoral Reforms Commission suggests ban on tail organizations

 

Electoral Reforms Commission suggests ban on tail organizations of political parties 

The Electoral Reforms Commission has proposed significant changes in the political party structure and activities, notably recommending a ban on affiliated organizations such as students, teachers and labour groups. These recommendations are aimed at ensuring impartiality and reducing undue influence in the political system. The commission has made it clear that such organizations, whether fraternal or operated under any other name, should not appear as extensions of political parties.

The commission, chaired by Badiul Alam Majumdar, submitted its report to the Chief Advisor, Professor Muhammad Yunus, on Wednesday at the Chief Advisor’s Office in Tejgaon. The comprehensive report includes a series of recommendations designed to reform and modernize the electoral system, enhance transparency and promote democratic practices among political parties.

Key recommendations of the report

1. Registration and membership of political parties. 

The commission recommends relaxing the criteria for registering new political parties. Key provisions include:

Political parties should maintain offices in at least 10% of the districts and upazilas or 5% of the police stations.

Registration requires a minimum of 5,000 members. Parties must publish a list of ordinary members on their websites, updating it annually. Dhaka trending news today 

2. Disqualification of members with criminal backgrounds.

The Commission emphasizes strict eligibility criteria for party membership, recommending that persons convicted under the International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) Act for serious human rights violations, such as extrajudicial killings, disappearances, inhumane torture, or attacks on journalists and human rights activists, should be disqualified. In particular: Any person convicted under the ICT Act should be barred from being a member of the ordinary or committee of a political party. If a charge sheet is accepted by a court constituted under the ICT Act for a serious crime, the accused should be disqualified from party membership.

3. Democratic Processes Within Parties

The Commission has called for internal democratic practices, including:

Election of all committees from local to national levels through secret ballot of ordinary members. Establishment of a panel of three candidates for parliamentary elections in each constituency through secret ballot of party members. Making three years of party membership mandatory as a prerequisite for contesting parliamentary elections under a party banner.

4. Financial Transparency

To combat corruption and improve financial accountability, the Commission recommends: Capping individual donations at Tk. 50 lakh and requiring a minimum subscription of Tk. 100 from party members. Ensuring that all donations are made through the banking system and disclosed in the donor's income tax return. Mandating annual audit of party income and expenditure accounts to ensure transparency.

5. Restrictions on affiliated organizations 

The Commission has proposed a ban on affiliated student, teacher and labour organizations, stressing that such organizations should not act as extensions of political parties. The move aims to decentralize educational institutions, workplaces and other sectors.

6. No foreign branches 

The report recommends that political parties be prohibited from having foreign branches or similar organizations under different names.

7. Renewal of party registration

To maintain accountability, the Commission recommends that party registration be made renewable every five years.

8. Participation in elections

The Commission recommends repealing the provision that allows a party to be deregistered if it fails to participate in two consecutive elections.

Broader implications

These recommendations signal a move towards a more transparent and democratic political system. The ban on tail companies aims to reduce bias in non-political domains, while the focus on financial accountability seeks to prevent corruption and ensure fairness.

The Commission’s proposals, by emphasizing internal democracy within parties and stricter eligibility criteria for membership, seek to create a more inclusive and ethical political landscape. If implemented, these reforms could significantly change the dynamics of political party activity in the country.

The submission of this report marks an important step in addressing long-standing problems in the electoral system, and its adoption could pave the way for a more accountable and democratic governance structure. Source by prothom alo