BNP wants neutral search committee for EC

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today warned that his party will not accept any search committee if it is formed unilaterally to appoint the new Election Commission.

“Search committee or whatever you (government) wish can be formed to appoint the Election Commissioners. But, we will not accept it if it is done ignoring people’s opinion,” Fakhrul said while addressing a programme in Dhaka this afternoon.

The search committee will have to be formed through holding talks will all political parties, Fakhrul said adding “Otherwise, we will not accept any drama in the name of search committee and any domestic election commission.”

It may be pointed out that the five-year tenure of the current election commission headed by Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed is going to expire in February 2017.

Clearing his party’s stance on the election, Fakhrul said BNP wants such election that will have to be held under a neutral poll-time government.

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He was addressing the function at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh marking the 9th jail release day of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Arrested on September 3, 2007 after the 1/11 political changeover, Khaleda was released from prison on bail on September 11, 2008.