Says Dr Kamal
Renowned jurist Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday told the Supreme Court that honest, competent, and neutral judges have to be appointed to this court in a very transparent manner in order to avoid any dispute over the system of caretaker government.
The last retired chief justice is appointed as chief adviser to the caretaker government, as per existing rules of the constitution of the republic.
The caretaker government system has been introduced in the country, as the election commission cannot work effectively and neutrally for holding free and fair elections, said Dr Kamal.
He said this while making submissions as amicus curiae (friend of court) during a hearing on an appeal against the High Court verdict that had declared valid the 13th amendment to the constitution allowing elections under the caretaker government.
Following a controversial election on February 15, 1996, demand for the caretaker government was pressed and the system was introduced through the 13th amendment.
A seven-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque yesterday held the hearing for the fourth day.
Kamal Hossain said dispute has been created on the caretaker government system due to the role of former President Prof Iazuddin Ahmed who arbitrarily held the office of chief adviser to the caretaker government in 2006.
Prof Iazuddin had to leave the office of chief adviser to the caretaker government and to stop the parliamentary election scheduled for January 22, 2007, under pressure from the military, he said.
The eminent jurist said the system of caretaker government cannot be cancelled due to anybody’s personal role.
Dr Kamal also said the election commission has to be made stronger and more neutral to hold elections in a free and fair manner.
The loopholes in the system should be plugged through a consensus so the government can function effectively, he added.
Courtesy of The Daily Star
