Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) senior leader Moudud Ahmed on Friday hoped that President Abdul Hamid will form a neutral and stronger Election Commission (EC) through an acceptable search committee by satisfying all political parties.

"We hope the President will come up with an effective solution so that we all can be happy. We want such an Election Commission to be formed through a neutral search committee in which people can keep their confidence, and a fair election can be held under it," he said.

The BNP leader came up with the remarks while speaking at a discussion at National Press Club arranged by Swadhinata Forum, marking BNP founder Ziaur Rahman's 81st birth anniversary.

Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, said their party has offered for talks and understanding to restore democracy in the country. "If the current crisis is not resolved through discussions and negotiations, it won't be possible to overcome the problem without a mass movement."

He said the President can suggest an outline for constituting a stronger EC by coordinating the political party's proposals placed to him during their talks on the issue. 

The BNP leader said only a stronger EC is not enough to hold a fair election unless it is overseen by an impartial election-time administration.

He also said the EC and the administration will not be able to work independently and neutrally if the election is held under a partisan government.

Moudud appreciated the President for taking the initiative for holding dialogue with political parties over the EC formation. "We hope it'll be successful. We urge him to take another initiative so we can hold the next election in a free, fair and peacefully manner under an election-time government."

He said an election-time government framework must be devised through a political understanding so that it can assist the EC to ensure a fair election in which people will be able to exercise their franchise without fear and favour.