Thirty-seven eminent citizens in a statement on Wednesday acclaimed president Md Abdul Hamid’s dialogue with political parties over formation of next Election Commission and wished for its success to ensure political consensus.

The president started the dialogue on Monday.

In a joint statement, the eminent citizens said that the president had taken the initiative to hold dialogues with the registered political parties of the country, which they considered to be timely and urgent in the current context of the country.

They also praised the economic progress Bangladesh achieved in some indices.

However, their statement noted Bangladesh is lagging behind in term of accountability, law enforcement, freedom of speech and assembly rights among others.

The rate of inequality is also increasing alarmingly, the statement said, adding that the declining quality of education and health care is now undeniable.

‘Beyond that, another major cause for concern is the deterioration of tolerance in our politics,’ they said.

They hoped that the president will discuss with the political parties the steps and consensus required to make economic development inclusive and the distribution system equitable.

They also anticipated that specific steps would be taken to address the issue of human rights abuses in the said draft.

The citizens’ coalition also expected a consensus among the parties akin to the outline drafted by three alliances in 1990.

They also expected the president to refer the outcome of the dialogue to the cabinet under Article 48(5) of the constitution.

Dhaka University emeritus professor Serajul Islam Choudhury, jurist Amir-ul-Islam, former Bangladesh Bank auditor general and former caretaker government advisor M Hafizuddin Khan, former Election Commissioner M Shakhawat Hossain, former justice Abdul Matin, Human Rights activist Hamida Hossain, former Bangladesh Bank Governor Saleh Uddin Ahmed, former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumder and writer Rahnuma Ahmed among others signed the statement.

The current EC is scheduled to expire on 14 February, 2022.