BNP says members of EC search panel ‘controversial’

The BNP has apparently rejected the search committee for the next Election Commission saying its members are ‘controversial’.

The party’s official reaction to the six-member panel formed by President Abdul Hamid was announced by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday.

“The inclusion of figures loyal to the Awami League has not only made it controversial but undemocratic too because of their blatant disregard for public opinion,” he said.

“There is no scope of considering the neutrality of this committee formed with members of this nature.”

When asked if he was rejecting the committee, Fakhrul said: "We are just expressing our opinion on the search committee. The issue will come up once the Election Commission is formed."

President Hamid formed the six-member search panel on Thursday that will propose names for the next Election Commission.

He formed the panel after holding a series of talks with 31 political parties including BNP, one of Bangladesh's major political parties besides the Awami League.

Appellate Division's Justice Syed Mahmud Hassan is heading the panel comprised of Justice Obaidul Hassan, Public Service Commission chairman Muhammed Sadique, Dhaka University Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, Chittagong University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Shireen Akhter, and Comptroller Auditor General Masud Ahmed.

The BNP, which wanted retired officials in the committee, immediately criticised it after it was announced on Wednesday.

The party slammed the Awami League over the committee but the ruling party denied any involvement in the process. 

"We condemn this autocratic move by the government which grabbed power through a voter-less election."

Mirza Fakhrul said the committee's members were not capable of forming a neutral Election Commission.

"It is futile to expect that these people will select unbiased, honest and courageous people for the next Election Commission," he added.

Clockwise from top left: Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, Justice Obaidul Hassan, PSC chairman Muhammed Sadique, DU Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, CU Pro-VC Shireen Akhter, CAG Masud Ahmed.

'Doubts about five'

The BNP questioned the neutrality of five among the panel's six members.

"The government has once again ignored public opinion by appointing people obedient to them," Fakhrul said. 

He came down hard on panel head Justice Syed Mahmud Hassan.

"He (Syed Mahmud) headed the search panel in 2012 which ultimately resulted in the Rakibuddin-led commission which was incompetent, spineless and controversial.

"He is going to head the committee again which means the government wants an Election Commission like the one we have now."

Fakhrul said Justice Obaidul Hassan, during his student years, served as a central leader of the Awami League's student wing Chhatra League (then Jatiya Chhatra League). He claimed the justice was a pro-Awami League practitioner in his law career.

"His father Dr Akhlakul Hossain was a member of the Awami League's provincial council from Netrokona's Mohanganj in 1970. His younger brother now works as the prime minister's aide."

PSC Chairman Muhammed Sadique was the EC secretary during the Jan 5 election in 2014 which the BNP boycotted.

"The Awami League has awarded him for legalising a faulty election. So he was appointed the PSC chairman after retirement. He is known for being a stern follower of the Awami League. So it is obvious that he will follow the government's orders," said the BNP leader.

He also brought up Shireen Akhter's relationship with the government.

"She was made a member of the Chittagong University Teacher's Council member in 2014 for being a follower of the ruling party. His father late Afsar Kamal Chowdhury is the founder of Awami League's Cox's Bazar unit. She belonged to the female wing of the unit."

Although CAG Masud does not carry any political link, he may not be able to do anything against the government being a government officer, Fakhrul said.

The party did not raise any objection over Dhaka University Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam.

A search committee formed with retired officials will be able to function independently, he said.

"Only then it will not be accountable to the government."