‘Khaleda to present outline soon for credible EC’
Two senior BNP leaders today said their chairperson Khaleda Zia will soon come up with a specific outline for formation of the new credible Election Commission (EC).
Speaking at separate programmes in the city, BNP standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said Khaleda will unveil the framework formally through a press conference.
“The Election Commission and the persons to be involved with it must be neutral. A neutral administration is also necessary for ensuring fair and credible polls. Our leader (Khaleda) will present a specific proposal as to how a neutral and credible Commission and election-time administration can be formed,” Nazrul said.
He made the remarks at a discussion arranged by Labour Party, a component of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, at the conference room of Bangladesh Shishu Kalyan Parishad at the city's Topkhana Road. Nazrul said Khaleda will give the proposal in favour of the 20-party alliance.
Mentioning that only some good people will not be able to hold an acceptable election, the BNP leader said the EC will have to establish its control over the polling officers, assistant polling officers, presiding officers and assistant presiding officers so that they can act neutrally during the voting.
The BNP leader said the EC must be reconstituted with acceptable, capable, honest and sensible persons who will not give in to any pressure and will be guided by the law and Constitution. “People’s verdict will properly be reflected in an election under such a Commission.”
Addressing another discussion arranged by Swadhinata Forum at the Jatiya Press Club, Amir Khasru said their party’s position on the EC will be cleared before the nation very soon. “A framework on how to ensure people’s voting rights and form a representative government and parliament will be presented shortly in favour of BNP.”
He said the main objective of formation of EC will have to ensure people’s voting right so that they can go to the polling stations without any fear and intimidation to cast their ballots. Khasru said it will be possible to form a representative government and parliament if people’s verdict is rightly reflected in the polls results.
The tenure of the current Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad-led Election Commission, formed through a search committee in 2012, will expire in February next.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Anisul Huq on September 15 hinted that a search committee will be formed to constitute the new Election Commission.