Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) senior leader Nazrul Islam Kahn on Friday alleged that the country has been pushed into an unwarranted situation by making a 'controversial' bureaucrat the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

"The Election Commission plays the main role in ensuring free, fair and neutral polls. Any controversial person shouldn't be entrusted with the responsibility to play this role. But, the government has pushed the country into an unexpected situation by appointing such a person as the CEC," he said.                

The BNP leader came up with the remarks while speaking at a discussion at National Press Club arranged by Jatiyatabadi Bandhu Dal.

Referring to the Prime Minister's remark that she does not want any controversial election, he said, "We've been happy with her comment. But she didn't ensure the arrangement to keep the election and the Election Commission out of controversy."

Mentioning that ex-Chief Justice KM Hasan declined to be the chief adviser to the caretaker government in 2006 over an allegation that he had connection with BNP, Nazrul said CEC-elect KM Nurul Huda can follow the example to avoid the controversy.

He said public opinion is not reflected on the Election Commission formation. "It's a strange matter that three election commissioners have been picked from the lists of Samyabadi Dal, Ganotantri Party, and Tarikat Federation."

The BNP leader said the way the government has played a game over the formation of the new EC, a fair election will not be possible to hold under it.

"People's opinion won't be reflected and real public representative won't be elected if a fair election is not held. It's also not possible to establish a pro-people government without a fair and neutral election," he observed.

As a democratic party, Nazrul said BNP wants a free and fair election to be held so that people can elect their representatives and reflect their opinions. "The party which will win such polls will run the country smoothly with dignity."