Quader expects BNP to join next polls

Awami League (AL) general secretary Obaidul Quader hoped on Tuesday the BNP will take part in the next parliamentary elections under the newly-formed Election Commission (EC), report agencies.

"I'm sure BNP will take part in next polls under this EC. There is no scope of doubt here," he said and hoped the BNP will not repeat the same mistake of the past.

Obaidul Quader, also minister for road transport and bridges, was talking to journalists at the concluding ceremony of 'Civil Fest' on Bashundhara campus of North South University.

He said the political parties proposed 128 names to the search committee to reconstitute the EC.

The search committee picked names from the suggestions of different parties, including one name from the list of the BNP and one from the list of the Awami League, he said.

"So, there was no discrepancy in this process," he added.

"We have full confidence in the search committee formed by the President after holding talks with all political parties and in his decision on the basis of the committee's recommendations. We congratulate the President," he said.

The BNP's frustration over the new EC is unknown, he said and asked whether the party is against the people.

Meanwhile, AL joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said on Tuesday he believes that the new Election Commission (EC) will be able to fulfil the nation's expectations.

"The president has consulted the political parties and formed an election commission through a search panel. We hope the commission can fulfill the nation's hopes and work impartially," he told a function in the city.

The AL joint general secretary said he believes the former secretary KM Nurul Huda-led commission will be acceptable to all.