Constitute EC in consultation with all parties: Khaleda Zia

BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has urged the government to constitute an Election Commission in consultation with all the political parties.

She said those in a press briefing held at a Dhaka hotel Friday afternoon.

Khaleda proposed some recommendations including some changes to the Representation of the People’s Order (RPO).

The current EC led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad will end their term February next year.

The EC that will be formed after that will be in charge of the 2019 national polls.

The BNP chief asked the President to form a search committee including former chief justices, eminent citizens and common people.

“The president will form the search committee after consulting with all political parties,” she said.

In 2012, then President Zillur Rahman formed the ‘search committee’ in consultation with the political parties.

Law Minister Anisul Haque said same procedure will be followed this time to form the search committee.

Terming the current election commission controversial, Khaleda said people are agitated as they could not vote in the last national polls.

“People want a free and fair poll where they will be able to vote and no one will turn the result around,” the BNP chief said.

Khaleda suggested formation of a five-member election commission headed by a chief election commissioner and with the inclusion of a female election commissioner.

She proposed to replace the district commissioners and police superintendents in a bid to ensure transparency in the election.

Khaleda also emphasized to train up the election commission officials to ensure their service quality.