Dhaka: Voicing dissatisfaction, over the ‘quick’ formation of the Election Commission (EC) from the search body’s proposed named, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Tuesday said the fair and neutral elections are not possible under the newly formed Election Commission.

Speaking at a press conference, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also questioned the eligibility of KM Nurul Huda for being appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) saying he was secretary and additional secretary only on paper.

The press conference was held at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office after a meeting of the top leaders of the BNP-lad 20-party alliance. It was the first and formal reaction of BNP and the 20-party to the new Election Commission.

‘It was a demand of all to disclose the names, life sketches, experiences, and other information of 10 people picked by the search committee. But it was not done. So, we’ve got disappointed,’ Fakhrul said.

He said as the CEC and election commissioners have been appointed hurriedly at the last moment, it has created doubt in public mind.

‘One of the main suspicions is it was premeditated by the ruling party that who would be appointed to the Election Commission.’

Mentioning that the President, according to the constitution, is bound to take the Prime Minister’s suggestions over all matters, except appointing the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice, the BNP leader said, ‘That’s why, we can think the Prime Minister’s choice has been reflected on formation of the new Election Commission.’ 

Hours after the search panel submitted their chosen 10 names to him, President Abdul Hamid on Monday night constituted the new EC making former secretary KM Nurul Huda the Chief Election Commissioner.

He also appointed four new election commissioners—former additional secretary Mahbub Talukder, ex-secretary Rafiqul Islam, ex-district and session’s judge Begum Kabita Khanam and Brig Gen (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury.

Describing Nuraul Huda as a controversial retired government official, Fakhrul said a constitutional body like the EC cannot work independently and neutral under him. 

‘It won’t be possible to hold free, fair, impartial and acceptable elections under the new CEC. The rationality of our proposal for forming an election-time government has become stronger after constitution of such a Commission,’ he said.

Fakhrul said Huda completed his professional career as a joint secretary. ‘In reality, he didn’t perform as the additional secretary or the secretary even for a single day. Appointing the Commission except an experienced secretary is an unprecedented matter. It can’t happen without political consideration.’

Mentioning that Awami League made him secretary in 2009 after he had been sent into force retirement as a joint secretary during the BNP-led government, the BNP leader said, ‘There might have anger in his mind at our party while he may show affection for Awami League as he got retrospective promotion during its rule.’

Under the circumstances, he said there is a justified question in public mind how much the CEC will be able to work neutrally.

When he had been working as the DC of Comilla, Fakhrul alleged that Huda worked as one of the organisers of ‘Janatar Mancha formed against the BNP government in 1996.

Besides, he said Huda held a profitable post from 2010-15 under the Awami League government.  ‘For all these reasons, a negative perception has been created in public mind about him.

It’s also mysterious why the President and the search committee didn’t consider the matters.’

Asked whether they have only the objection to the appointment of the ECE, Fakhrul said the other issues will gradually be cleared to people. 

Replying to another question, he said only Mahbub Talukder has been appointed to the EC from their party’s list sent to the search body proposing five names.

President Abdul Hamid on Monday night constituted the new EC making former secretary KM Nurul Huda the Chief Election Commissioner.

He also appointed four new election commissioners—former additional secretary Mahbub Talukder, ex-secretary Rafiqul Islam, ex-district and session’s judge Begum Kabita Khanam and Brig Gen (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury.

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

However, there was no formal briefing about the outcome of the meeting as the BNP chief asked the party leaders not to make any comment about the matter before the party gives formal reaction to it.

Talking to news agency UNB, a BNP standing committee members wishing anonymity said most of the policymakers told the meeting that the EC was formed with pro-ruling party and controversial persons.

Most of the standing committee members, he said strongly opposed the appointment of KM Nurul Huda as the CEC as they said he was one of organisers of ‘Janatar Manch’ of 1996.

At the meeting, he said the BNP chairperson asked the party policymakers to collect detailed information about the new EC members.

Some standing committee members suggested launching a movement by directly turning down the EC while some others advised to take a strategy to use the EC issue for putting pressure on the government to accept the party’s demand for ensuring an election-time cooperative government.

Before concluding the meeting, the BNP chief also voiced frustration over the EC saying another Rakibuddin-style Commission is formed, the BNP standing committee member said.