Zonayed Saki blasts EC for sidestepping stakeholders in reforming election rules

Zonayed Saki, coordinator of the Democratic Left Alliance and general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, has voiced concern over the Election Commission's (EC) insufficient consultation with stakeholders during the process of amending election rules and laws following the recent government transition.

Following a meeting with the EC today (19 November), Saki stressed that electoral reforms require dialogue and criticised the Commission for acting without proper consultation.

Saki said election rules must be discussed with all stakeholders and cannot be imposed unilaterally, especially during a democratic transition.

Saki recalled his party's delayed registration. Despite the High Court ruling on 30 December 2017, their registration was not allowed due to political interference till the political shift of 5 August last year. Saki proposed an Election Environment Monitoring Committee consisting of party, government, and EC officials to ensure a fair and conflict-free election environment.

He urged the EC to set an example in accountable governance and backed constitutional amendments for appointing election commissioners.

To ensure a level playing field, Saki proposed clearer party symbols, allowing joint coalition symbols, separate booths for referendum and voting during the national election, transparency in security deployment, along with bank transactions, candidates must submit mobile financing service (MFS) transaction documents, and fair rules for posters, festoons, and loudspeaker access.