Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) vice chairman Abdullah Al Noman on Wednesday alleged that the government has appointed a ‘controversial’ person like KM Nurul Huda as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) just to cling to power.

“KM Nurul Huda had a political link. Wasn’t it possible for us to make a more capable and acceptable person the Chief Election Commissioner…such a controversial person has been appointed since the ECC as the government doesn’t want to quit power.”

Noman came up with the remark while speaking at a discussion organised by Moulana Bhasani Anusari Parishad at Photojournalists’ Association auditorium in the city.

President Abdul Hamid on Monday night constituted the new EC making former secretary KM Nurul Huda as the CEC and four other commissioners.

The four new election commissioners are 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.

Noman said a new movement will have to launch organising the people of all walks of life to ensure that voters can cast their ballots as per their will in a congenial atmosphere.

Besides, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kbir Rizvi alleged that the President has formed the new EC with people loyal to the government.

“Neutral people were not selected from the names recommended by the search committee. Those who are loyal to the government were picked from the list,” he told reporters after attending a meeting in Tangail.

Rizvi said free fair, neutral and acceptable elections are not possible under the new CEC as he has close relations with the government.

He also said Nurul Huda himself should step aside from the post of CEC before a movement is launched against him.