It's a reflection of PM's liking

Terming the new Election Commission the reflection of the prime minister's liking, the BNP-led 20-party alliance last night said a “controversial government official” has been appointed as the chief election commissioner (CEC).

“We are deeply frustrated and aggrieved. A controversial government official was made the chief election official. It would not be possible for the new commission to perform its duties fairly,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said.

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It would not to be able to hold free, fair and acceptable polls, he said.

The BNP leader was briefing reporters after an hour-long alliance meeting at the party chief's Gulshan office. With BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the chair, the meeting was attended by the chiefs of the components of the combine.

It was the alliance's first formal reaction on the constitution of the new EC.

On Monday, President Abdul Hamid formed the commission, making former secretary KM Nurul Huda its chief.

The president also appointed four new election commissioners. They are former additional secretary Mahbub Talukder, ex-secretary Rafiqul Islam, ex-district and sessions judge Begum Kabita Khanam and Brig Gen (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury.

The CEC and his fellow commissioners will conduct the next general election scheduled for January, 2019. The tenure of the current EC, led by Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, ends on February 14

After yesterday's meeting, Fakhrul said people “doubt the neutrality” of the new EC.   

Terming its CEC an AL-blessed person, he claimed that the commission chief was an organiser of Janatar Mancha, a platform which was against the then BNP government, in 1996.

“For valid reasons, we can think that the commission reflects the liking of the prime minister,” he said.

Meeting sources said although the 20-party alliance spoke against the new EC, the combine was not taking a tough stance against it right now.

“We are neither rejecting nor accepting the new Election Commission,” National Peoples Party chief Fariduzzaman Farhad, a meeting participant, told The Daily Star.

He, however, said Khaleda voiced her frustration over the EC formation, saying another “Rakib-styled” commission has been formed.

The Rakib-led current EC drew heavy flak for holding the January 5 one-sided elections where 153 lawmakers were elected unopposed in 2014.

On Monday night, Khaleda sat in an emergency meeting with the party standing committee members to have their opinions on the new EC and work out the party's strategy to deal with it.

Most of the standing committee members in the meeting strongly opposed the appointment of KM Nurul Huda as the CEC, saying he was an “organiser” of the Janatar Manch.

Talking to The Daily Star, Nurul Huda dismissed reports linking him with Janatar Mancha (People's Platform), saying he was posted as deputy commissioner of Comilla at that time. “How can I join the Janatar Mancha in Dhaka?”

JP REACTION

Jatiya Party yesterday expressed its satisfaction over the formation of the new EC. It hoped that the commission would set an example by holding a fair, neutral and acceptable national election.

The JP came up with its formal reaction on the EC formation at a press conference at the party chairperson's Banani office.

Party co-chair GM Quader said the way the new CEC and other commissioners were appointed was logical and acceptable.

 “We will observe its activities. We will make comments only after evaluating those,” he said when he was asked for comments on the commission.

ELECTION EXPERTS' OPINIONS

Election experts hoped that the new commission would work independently and hold the next general elections in a free and fair way.

Election Working Group Director Abdul Alim said, “Two of the new commissioners have the experience of working with the Election Commission in the past. I think it would help the new commission to a great extent.”

The CEC and other commissioners definitely have the capability to run the EC in a proper way, said Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Shushashoner Jannoy Nagorik (Shujan).