Law on EC formation just a ‘blueprint’ to prolong power: BNP

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Tuesday described the government's attempt to enact a law on the Election Commission formation 'hurriedly' and 'secretly' as mere a 'blueprint' to cling to power illegally.

"BNP thinks the current parliament has no moral authority to make such a law since it's not legally elected by people," said party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson's Gulshan office, he also alleged that Awami League is trying to hold another 'stage-managed' election by deceiving people through covertly making the law.

In the current context of Bangladesh, the BNP leader said their party also thinks no election commission will be able to hold a free and fair election unless it is held under a neutral caretaker government. "This truth was established with the unilateral, voterless elections of midnight-vote robbery in 2014 and 2018."

He said the resignation of the current illegitimate Awami League government, the handover of power to a neutral non-partisan government and holding a free, fair, credible and participatory election run by an election commission to be formed with people acceptable to all based on the opinions of all political parties are the only way to restore democracy in Bangladesh.

Fakhrul underscored the need for a united movement of all political parties, organisations and people to attain this goal.

On Sunday, Law Minister Anisul Haq placed the draft Bill, "Appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Bill-2022", in parliament.

The bill is likely to be passed in the House on Thursday.

The press conference was arranged to inform the media about the outcomes of the virtual meeting of BNP's standing committee, the highest policymaking body of the party.

It was Fakhrul's first appearance before the media since he along with his wife tested positive for Covid-19 on January 10.

Fakhrul said the BNP standing committee meetings voiced concern over sending a letter to the UN by the 12 top international human rights bodies seeking a ban on Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from UN deployment for its alleged involvement in torture, enforced disappearances, and other human rights violations.

"Our standing committee believes that the Awami League government has put Bangladesh at great risk by using state institutions, including RAB, for murder, enforced disappearance, and extrajudicial killings to stay in power illegally," he said.

Fakhrul said they feared that it will have a negative impact on Bangladesh's security, stability and economy. "The government has to bear all the responsibilities for creating this situation."