Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Wednesday voiced frustration and anger over the six-member search committee formed by the President for constituting the new Election Commission (EC), saying it has been made as per Awami League’s choice.

“The honourable President has shown an extreme example of neutrality. People’s hopes and aspirations have not been reflected in the formation of the search committee. We’ve not only got disappointed but also aggrieved over it,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Speaking at a discussion, he further said, ”This search committee is of Awami League government’s choice as the Public Service Commission (PSC) chairman, Comptroller and Auditor General and Chittagong University Pro-VC were appointed by the government.”

Labour Party, a component of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, arranged the discussion at the Dhaka Reporters Unity.

Earlier in the day, President Abdul Hamid formed a six-member search committee for reconstituting the new EC and sent the names to the Cabinet Division for publishing a gazette notification.

Four of the committee members are Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh Masud Ahmed, PSC Chairman Dr Muhammed Sadique, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University Prof Dr Shireen Akhter and Dhaka University (DU) English Department teacher Prof Dr Syed Manzoorul Islam, said official sources.

Two other members of the committee will be drawn from the Supreme Court -- one justice from the Appellate Division and another from the High Court Division.

After Prof Dr Shireen Akhter was made a search committee member, Fakhrul said, the CU Pro-VC in her reaction told a TV channel that now the country is being run following the ideals of Bangabandhu and she will try to properly perform the duty bestowed upon her by Sheikh Hasina. “Now, you can realise what a neutral search committee is formed.”

Describing the President as an institution and the country’s main guardian, he said their party had expected a neutral decision from him. “But it’s our bad luck that the President didn’t use the opportunity to help the nation overcome the political crisis.“

Fakhrul also voiced doubt whether the search committee will be able to constitute a stronger Election Commission as per people’s hopes and aspirations. “We can’t understand what type of Election Commission will be formed by this search committee,” he said.

He alleged that this type of search committee has been formed as Awami League wants to hold another January-5 style national election. “The nation has been pushed further towards uncertainty and instability by forming the search committee.” 

The BNP leader said the government wants an unstable situation to prevail in the country so that it can catch fish in troubled waters to cling onto power.

He claimed there is no difference between the one-party rule in 1975 and current government’s rule, and urged all to get united to get rid of it.