BNP requested to submit names of delegates

BNP has been requested to give a list of its representatives for holding talks with President Abdul Hamid on formation of the new election commission on December 18.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed said that he received a letter signed by president’s office secretary Shampad Barua around 4:00pm requesting the party to send names of its 10-member delegation for the talks by December 15.

“We will put forward a list after holding a meeting with our party chairperson Khaleda Zia,” Rizvi told The Daily Star.

Earlier in the day, the president gave an appointment for talks on reconstitution of the Election Commission – the first being with BNP on December 18.

President Hamid will sit with Jatiya Party December 20, Liberal Democratic Party and Krishak Shramik Janata League on December 21, and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal on December 22.

Shampad Barua, secretary to the president, today called up the political parties and informed them of the schedule, party insiders said.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was first to come up with the proposal on reconstitution of the Election Commission as the term of the incumbent commission expires in February 2017.

She suggested that the president forms a search committee for the probable election commissioners after holding discussions with all the political parties concerned.

Though initially Awami League rejected Khaleda’s proposals, the party later said it will accept any decision taken by President Hamid over reconstitution of the next Election Commission.

Reconstitution of the Election Commission has been the buzz in political quarters as the next commission will oversee the next general elections – where, so far, all parties are showing signs of participating.

APPRECIABLE MOVE: BNP’S FAKHRUL

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam commended the president’s move and said it will help towards reconstitution of a powerful Election Commission based on unity.

He affirmed The Daily Star of receiving the invitation to Bangabhaban and said BNP is most likely to meet the president with a 10-member delegation headed by Chairperson Khaleda Zia.