They said the immediate past chief justice should not take over as the chief of the interim government as political parties have questioned his neutrality for his pervious involvement with the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The discussants apprehend that Justice KM Hasan's takeover of the non-party caretaker government may lead to a grave crisis during the national election.

Justice Hasan will head the next caretaker government for holding the parliament election but the main opposition Awami League (AL) has already raised the allegation that Justice Hasan is not a non-partisan person as he once was a BNP leader.

The roundtable organised by the 11-Party Alliance suggested selecting a non-partisan and neutral person, who is acceptable to all, to head the interim government for the sake of holding the national elections in a free, fair and neutral manner.

The discussants proposed an independent secretariat for the Election Commission (EC) and appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other commissioners through consultation with all parties.

The roundtable titled 'Necessary Electoral reforms and the Caretaker Government System: Representation in Parliament' also called for imposing a ban on using religion as a tool of election campaign.

In a written proposal placed at the meeting, the 11-Party Alliance said amendment to the constitution is not necessary to find a person who is acceptable to all as the existing constitutional provisions are enough.

"The caretaker government must be headed by a person who is above controversies and whose non-partisanship cannot be questioned," said Dr Kamal Hossain, president of the Gono Forum, and an eminent jurist.

He said, "If any person has partisan colour he should not take office of the chief adviser of the caretaker government and I will tell him not to be the chief adviser if anyone raises questions about his neutrality."

Workers Party chief Rashed Khan Menon also requested the immediate past chief justice not to assume office of the caretaker government chief saying that opposition parties as well as people have serious reservations about him.

"We hope he (former chief justice) will not do anything that may originate crisis in the country centring an election," he said.

The speakers alleged that the government has extended the retirement age of judges to ensure that Justice Hasan will take over as chief of the next caretaker government.

"The extension of the judges' retirement age has made the caretaker government questionable," observed Dr Kazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed, president of Bangladesh Economic Association at the roundtable.

Echoing him, Barrister Amir-Ul Islam said, "The extension of retirement ages of judges has damaged the integrity of the judiciary as many are now calculating when he or she will become head of the caretaker government."

He expressed his reservations about the concept of the formation of the caretaker government system that says the immediate past chief justice will be the head of the interim government.

"Any sitting government through politicisation and superseding the judges can easily find a loyal person to head the caretaker government after the end of their term," the eminent lawyer said.

He proposed formation of a team of 10 ombudsmen in line with the constitutional provision and said the team will not only conduct the general election but also act as watchdog for all time and an acceptable person from the body will lead the caretaker government.

AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil tabled his party proposals about electoral reforms and formation of the caretaker government. He urged all parties to formulate a single proposal after reviewing their individual party proposals.

Stressing the need for voters' education to stop rigging and fake votes in elections, Jalil urged the political parties to take initiatives to educate the voters.

Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) President Manjurul Ahsan Khan blasted the prime minister's rigid opposition to reforming the caretaker government system and said the next election must be conducted under a caretaker government acceptable to all.

Professor Muzaffer Ahmad emphasised strengthening of the EC so that it can conduct the elections as an independent body.

Journalist Ataus Samad said they should seriously think over the issue of proportional representation in parliament. He urged all to finalise the proposals and place those to the government at the earliest possible time.

Human rights activist Dr Hamida Hossain stressed that the rights of the minorities and women in casting votes be ensured in the electoral reform process.

Gono Forum General Secretary Saifuddin Ahmed Manik, Samyabadi Dal General Secretary Dilip Barua, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal leader Mainuddin Khan Badal, Hunger Project Executive Director Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, Gono Azadi League President Abdus Samad, Ganotrantri Party Acting President Azizul Islam Khan, Communist Kendro's Dr Asit Baran Roy and JSD Joint Secretary Shirin Akhter also spoke.