BNP demands EC reconstitution

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today demanded immediate formation of a fresh Election Commission so that the next general election is held in a free, fair and credible manner.

"We are telling very clearly, we want to revoke of the present Election Commission. A fresh Election Commission will have to be formed. Otherwise, no election will be held here," Fakhrul said this while addressing a programme at the Institute of Engineers' Bangladesh in Dhaka this noon.

Terming the present Election Commission as spineless, Fakhrul said the commission brings change in the electoral code of conduct in the face of the ruling party's threat.

"How the commission will arrange the next general election in a credible manner?" Fakhrul raised a question expressing his doubt over biased role of the present election commission.

Claiming that election is the only democratic way to bring change in power, Fakhrul said there is no electoral atmosphere as the people, who are assigned to arrange election, want to establish one-party rule in the country.

Fakhrul again cleared his party's stance that BNP will not participate in the next general election keeping its Chairperson Khaleda Zia out of the election process.

"The next general election can be held in a credible manner if Khaleda Zia is given release, the government steps down from power after dissolving parliament and military is deployed, " he said.

About the ongoing anti-drug drive, Fakhrul said the government has snatched people's right to live freely as it engaged in killing spree in the name of the drive against narcotic dealers.