| Alochoks, It took 2 years, jailing of leaders, multiple negotiations but finally Awami League is looking to implement the reforms of the electoral commission to practice greater intra-party democracy. They deserve compliments for starting the internal reform process. Now if only Khaleda would shut her trap and see the light of reform! - Raheem New York AL to amend constitution for party reforms Partha Pratim Bhattacharjee The Awami League is contemplating amendments to its constitution to strengthen inner-party democracy and ensure transparency in the party activities in line with reforms proposed by the Election Commission. The party will need to amend its constitution also for registration with the Election Commission as a political party, party leaders said. He said that the AL would ask the government at the formal dialogue to create an atmosphere so that the party could hold its conference to amend the constitution. The party constitution stipulates that the national council is required to enact, change, improve or amend the constitution, manifesto of the party and to adopt any policy or strategy and motion to achieve the objectives of the party. At the dialogue, AL leaders will also propose that the draft of the Political Parties Registration Act 2008 prepared by the Election Commission should be approved. To ensure democratic practices within the party, the AL wants that the party candidates for parliamentary polls should be selected by grassroots level leaders, not by an 11-member parliamentary board. The existing provision says an 11-member parliamentary board shall be formed to nominate candidates on behalf of the party for all national level elections. 'The parliamentary board will discharge all functions in connection with the elections and will be able to take any measures to prepare electoral programmes and to conduct elections', reads a provision of the constitution. But, in the changing situation, the party now wants to amend the provision to ensure more transparency and infuse dynamism in the candidate selection process. A group of leaders from the grassroots voiced the demand at the party's extended committee meeting held after eight years on May 26. Talking to New Age, the acting AL general secretary said, 'The grassroots level leaders will select three to five names for the party candidates for every electoral constituency. The party high command will select the appropriate candidate from the short list.' A proposal to this effect was approved by the party working committee meeting before the talks with the Election Commission early this year. The party says it has no reservations about the suggestion in proposed Political Parties Registration Act 2008 that the parties should keep at least one-third of the posts reserved for women in all committees by 2020. 'But again we need amendment to the constitution to adopt it', said Syed Ashraf. The party, Ashraf said, has taken all-out preparations to complete its district conferences to resolve intra-party disputes before the parliamentary polls. Out of 72 organisational districts, the AL could not hold council sessions in 11 districts and in 11 other districts it could not complete the process as yet. Responding to a query on the 22 organisational committees, Ashraf said the organising secretaries would report to the party presidium with suggestions in this regard after the central leaders end their countrywide tours. The party has also asked its front organisations to strengthen their activities. |
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