BNP urges EC to bar controversial officials from elections

The BNP has urged the Election Commission (EC) to ensure that controversial government officials who were involved in the past three 'farcical' elections are kept away from any role in the forthcoming national election, reports UNB.

"In particular, officials who are controversial or whose roles have been questioned must not be allowed to participate in or influence the forthcoming election process in any way. The Election Commission must remain extremely vigilant in this regard," BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan told reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital on Thursday.

He led a three-member BNP delegation during the meeting from 11:00 am to 12:40pm

Dr Moyeen Khan said the last three elections were farcical and the government officials who conducted the elections on behalf of the Election Commission were responsible for making them so.

"It is unrealistic to expect that those whose character was undermined by the autocratic Awami League over the past 15 years will be reformed in just 15 months. So, the Election Commission must remain vigilant," he said.

Dr Moyeen said it is also a reality that the Commission does not have its own manpower of ten lakh to conduct the election. "This is a very crucial matter. Though the Election Commission is already aware of this, we are here to make them aware of it again," he said.

Replying to a question, the BNP leader said his party wants that the referendum on the July National Charter 2025 shall be held on the national election-day simultaneously.

Two other BNP delegation members were BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council member Ismail Zabiullah and former acting secretary of the Election Commission Dr Mohammed Jakari.