EC Formation
BNP won't accept search committee
Says Moudud
Accusing the government of staging a drama over Election Commission's (EC) formation, BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed yesterday said BNP will not accept the EC formed on the advice of the president's search committee.
“The search committee is illegal and unconstitutional. The government will form an Election Commission in a couple of days following the advice of the search committee. They are staging a drama over the commission,” he said.
Moudud was addressing a human chain organised by Swadhinata Forum before Jatiya Press Club in the city.
The programme was organised protesting violation of human rights and killing of Bangladeshis along the border by Indian Border Security Force and demanding withdrawal of “false” cases against BNP chief Khaleda Zia and her elder son Tarique Rahman.
Moudud, also a former law minister, categorically said BNP's position regarding the search committee and EC is clear. “It does not matter who is appointed to the Election Commission. BNP will not participate in the election if it is held under a partisan government.”
President Zillur Rahman formed a search committee on January 22, following a series of dialogues with political parties, including BNP, which have representation in parliament, to propose names for new election commissioners.
But BNP had said they were not bothered with the move as they think restoration of the caretaker government system should get priority as an election under a political government will not be free and fair.
The caretaker government system was scrapped from the constitution last year through the 15th amendment.
Meanwhile, Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque asked the government to move a bill in the current parliamentary session to restore the constitutional provision of the non-party caretaker government.
He was addressing a discussion organised by Center for Democracy and Peace Studies at Dhaka Reporters Unity.
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