Fair polls not possible under new CEC
Reflection of PMs wishes
BNP reacts on newly constituted Election Commission
The BNP yesterday alleged that the newly constituted Election Commission is merely the reflection of the prime ministers desire. Terming the new chief election commissioner (CEC) a controversial person, the BNP observed that holding a free, fair, neutral and acceptable election would not be possible under the leadership of such a CEC.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came up with the observations while issuing the partys formal reaction yesterday over the formation of the new Election Commission (EC) headed by KM Nurul Huda on Monday. The reaction came after a meeting of the 20-party alliance chaired by BNP chief Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office last night.
The unprecedented haste at the last moment in announcing the names for the new EC has led to doubts in the peoples minds. One of the major doubts is that the names of the members included in the new EC were a pre-planned decision by the ruling quarter, Fakhrul told reporters in the briefing that began around 9pm.
We are frustrated..... After the formation of such an EC, the necessity of our proposal for forming a poll-time neutral government to assist the holding of a general election has become stronger, he added.
Fakhrul also accused the Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of misleading the nation by her statement that her party would accept any decision by the president on the formation of the new EC.
According to the interpretation of the constitution, with exceptions of the
appointments of the prime minister and the chief justice, the president is bound to take suggestions from the prime minister in all state affairs. Such interpretations lead to the assumption that the premiers preferences have been reflected in the formation of the new EC, the BNP leader observed.
He also questioned the efficiency of the new CEC saying that Huda retired from the government service as a joint secretary without serving a day as additional secretary or secretary.
He has no ground experience in serving as an additional secretary or secretary or a secretary, Fakhrul said, adding that Hudas promotions were only in papers.
He has no practical experience as a secretary. The appointment of an individual as the chief election commissioner without being an experienced secretary is unprecedented. This cannot happen without political consideration, Fakhrul alleged.
He also claimed that there are allegations that the CEC was an organiser of Janatar Mancha (a platform against then BNP government) when he was serving as the deputy commissioner (DC) of Comilla in 1996.
Such an act while being a government official is a major violation of service rules and a punishable offence, he added. Besides, Huda held an office of profit during his tenure as the managing director of a government funded project.
Appointing such a questionable former government official as the new CEC has created a negative perception.
It is mysterious that the search committee and the president did not take such issues into consideration, he added.
The BNP believes that no institution can function without any bias under the leadership of a controversial former government official, he stated.
However, the BNP did not put forward any negative observations about any of the new election commissioners.
Even, replying to a question, Fakhrul acknowledged the fact that Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder was selected from the list the BNP submitted to the president.
Asked whether the party would announce any programme protesting the formation of the new commission or whether they reject the new EC, the BNP leader evaded answering directly and said they have made their stance clear about the commission.
