BNP ‘hopeful’ after talks with president
After meeting President Abdul Hamid today, BNP, the party which boycotted last general elections, is hopeful of a strong Election Commission ahead of the next parliamentary polls.
Waiting for a month, BNP today got what they wanted – talks with the president over reformation of the next Election Commission. BNP leaders say they are happy with the discussion.
“The president responded positively, assuring us of necessary steps,” said BNP standing committee member Mahbubur Rahman, after coming out of the meeting. “Our chairperson is also hopeful.”
BNP chief Khaleda Zia led an 11-member delegation to Bangabhaban, the official residence of the president this evening, and had nearly an hour of discussion.
READ MORE: 'In search of an acceptable EC,' writes Mahfuz Anam
Later, the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in a press briefing at party headquarters, announced that BNP is “hopeful” of a positive outcome to the discussion.
“As a custodian of the state, we believe the president will take necessary steps towards forming an independent and impartial Election Commission to put an end to the prevailing political crisis,” he said.
‘BNP HOPES DIALOGUE WILL CONTINUE’
BNP hoped that the president will again call upon the political parties after formulating a guideline on reformation of Election Commission following a round of discussion.
“There is no alternative to talks and dialogues in a democratic system,” Fakhrul said.
“We stressed on three issues: an acceptable search committee, an acceptable Election Commission and necessary amendments to the Representation of the People’s Order,” Fakhrul said.
Meanwhile, Lt Gen (retd.) Mahbubur Rahman said BNP proposed names of four candidates for the search committee that will hunt for the next Election Commissioners – the names of whom he refused to disclose at this time.
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