EC going to be formed as per govt whim

BNP yesterday opposed the formation of the next Election Commi-ssion (EC) through a search committee, saying that the government will only induct the people of its choice in the commission through this process.

"They (govt) are now talking much about the formation of the Election Commission and the search committee. What is the search committee? Following this system, you'll constitute it (EC) with whoever you want," said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

The BNP leader made the remarks while inaugurating a conference of representatives of Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal at Dhaka Reporters Unity.

The present EC will complete its five-year term in February 2022 and the next commission will arrange the 12th parliamentary election to be held at the end of 2023.

On October 4, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a press conference said the new EC will be constituted through a search committee to be formed by the president.

Fakhrul also criticised Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for his remarks that Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder is suffering from "mental problems".

"They (AL leaders) have become desperate and they're making various comments against Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder as he spoke the truth. They're also saying he is mentally ill. But you (govt) are mentally ill," he said.

Fakhrul said ruling party leaders are not going to people as they have long been staying indoors and joining programmes virtually.

"Arrange an election and create such a situation so that people can cast their votes and only then you will see your actual position. You won't even get an escape route."

He said the next election must be held under a non-party and neutral government, enabling people to freely exercise their right to franchise and elect the representatives of their choice.

'BUREAUCRATS TOO POWERFUL'

The BNP secretary general said bureaucrats are now running the country as they have become more powerful than AL.

"Where's Awami League now? Amla (Bureaucrats) League is now all in all. Wherever you go, you will see DC, SP and OC hold power. They're even bigger than them (Awami League leaders). They themselves say that the king of fish is hilsa and the king of the country is police," he observed.

Fakhrul said the prime minister and her government must be held accountable someday for creating such a situation in the country.