BNP chief Khaleda Zia's proposal on next Election Commission at Bangabhaban

BNP delegates have submitted the 13-point proposal of party chief Khaleda Zia over constituting the next Election Commission at the Bangabhaban.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Vice-Chairman Maj Gen (retd) Ruhul Alam Chowdhury reached the president's official residence with a letter signed by BNP's secretary general and a printed copy of the proposal.

Brig Gen Md Mainur Rahman, assistant military secretary to the president, received the documents.

The two leaders stayed at Bangabhaban for 15 minutes after reaching there around 11am on Tuesday, said the President's Assistant Press Secretary Mahmudul Hasan.

President Abdul Hamid had left for Singapore for medical treatment around 9:30am before the leaders reached his residence.

"The assistant military secretary of the president has cordially received our application and the copy of the proposal," said Rizvi.

The president would start meeting representatives of the political parties after his return to Bangladesh on Dec 11, he said, quoting Brig Gen Mainur.

The Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed-led commission's term expires in February next year.

The new commission, formed through a search panel, will oversee the next national election slated for 2019.

In a press conference on Nov 18, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia suggested a layout for the search panel.

She stressed on appointing the new chief election commissioner and other commissioners on merit and holding a free and fair election with the participation of all political parties.

Seeking an appointment to meet President Abdul Hamid, Khaleda's personal secretary Abdus Sattar talked to Maj Mainur Rahman over phone on Nov 21 and issued a formal letter a day later.

Getting no response, the party finally decided to submit the documents at the Bangabhaban.

The president would begin dialogue with the registered parties soon after Dec 16, Victory Day, said his Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin.

The talks could begin from Dec 18, said an official of Bangabhaban, even though the press secretary did not mention a specific date.    

“The BNP will probably be called on the first day,” he told bdnews24.com.