EC ‘might act’ against Tarique’s involvement

The Election Commission will take steps within the law against Tarique Rahman’s involvement with BNP’s nomination process if a complaint is received, an election commissioner said today.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique has been interviewing BNP’s nomination aspirants through video conferencing, what has been taking place in Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office.

"As you have heard of this, so have I. We don't have capacity to monitor anything like this. Let me see, what's in the law," Commissioner Rafiqul Islam told reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban.

"If anyone complains with evidence that Tarique Rahman interviewed BNP’s nomination seekers through videoconferencing, we will ask the authorities concerned to take actions within the scope of the law," he said.

WHY IS TARIQUE TABOO?

Tarique has been living in London for the last nine years.

Convicted in several cases (in absentia) including that of the sensational August 21 grenade attack, he does not have any valid Bangladeshi travel document.

He had handed over his passport to the UK Home Office almost four years ago.

The UK Home Office sent his passport to the Bangladesh High Commission. He has to apply for a new passport to return home, according a UNB report.

Bangladesh government wants to bring Tarique back and face punishment he received in three separate cases, including the Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases.

HAS ANYONE COMPLAINED?

Ruling Awami League today filed a written complaint against the involvement of BNP acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman in his party’s nomination process.

Lt Col (retd) Faruk Khan, a presidium member of Awami League, led a delegation of the party to the Election Commission around 6:30pm and filed the complaint.

Commission’s Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed received the letter.

However, after the matter surfaced, Obaidul Quader, ruling Awami League’s general secretary raised a verbal objection and called upon the Election Commission to take a note in this regard.

Meanwhile, BNP has snapped back at Quader, saying it is at freedom to seek consultation from “anyone they want” to conduct the nomination process.