Nothing can happen unless the govt wants

Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain is an author, analyst and a former election commissioner. Recently he has talked to Mohiuddin Alamgir of The Daily Star on different issues including electoral reforms and proposals placed by political parties during the EC talks.

TDS: How do you evaluate the Election Commission's talks with political parties?

Sakhawat Hussain: Seeing the suggestions placed by political parties it seems that it was not that much meaningful. Regarding the recommendations, the EC has nothing to do about most of those.

TDS: Many political parties are in favour of a polls-time government under interim, caretaker or all-party system. What can the EC do about it?

Sakhawat Hussain: This is a political issue. The matter is between political parties and the government. If the EC has the courage, they can give their opinion.

TDS: Some political parties also sought proportional representation system. What do you think?

Sakhawat Hussain: Also on this issue, the EC can just give its opinion. A constitutional amendment will be required to introduce the system. During our tenure, no large political parties sought such a system. Most Commonwealth countries follow a first-past-the-post electoral system [in which voters cast their vote for a candidate of their choice, and the candidate who receives the most votes wins]. Even in England, there was a survey and people opined that they do not understand the proportional representation system.

TDS: There were proposals for staggered national elections.

Sakhawat Hussain: In the existing system, it is possible for the EC to hold staggered elections. But I don't think it is required in Bangladesh. Violence will increase if there are staggered elections. Because goons will be hired and sent to one place from another. Where will you keep voting materials? Who will guard them? Who will believe whom?

Many will say staggered elections take place in India. But India's situation is different.

TDS: Many political parties were against EVM or sought changes to the machine. What is your take on the issue?

Sakhawat Hussain: The EVM is a very sensitive machine. It will need an air-conditioned storage room. VVPAT [Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail through which a voter would be able to get feedback], should be added to the EVM. VVPAT will bring back some kind of confidence. At least there will be no rumours that I have cast my vote for one candidate and it went to another.

TDS: There are recommendations for appointing EC officials as returning officers in place of deputy commissioners. Is this feasible?

Sakhawat Hussain: The Representation of the People Order, 1972, clearly says that the commission shall appoint a returning officer for each constituency; and a person may be appointed as returning officer for two or more constituencies. So the commission can appoint its officials as returning officers. There is no obligation that only DCs would be appointed as RO.

TDS: Do you foresee any change in the electoral system as a result of the talks?

Sakhawat Hussain: No, I don't foresee any change. This is plain and simple that nothing can happen unless the government wants.