
AL knows why CEC Huda praised military ruler Ziaur Rahman, but won't disclose it: Quader
Moinul Hoque Chowdhury and Kazi Mobarak Hossain bdnews24.com
Published: 2017-10-18 17:13:10.0 BdST Updated: 2017-10-18 20:40:04.0 BdST
The Awami League says it received an explanation for why Chief Election Commission Nurul Huda said Ziaur Rahman returned multi-party democracy to Bangladesh, but does not want to reveal it.
Related Stories
"We have received an explanation, but don't want to disclose it. If an explanation is needed, the Election Commission will provide it," Obaidul Quader, general secretary of the ruling party, told reporters after discussing the next election with the commissionon Wednesday.
“But the meeting we had and the statements made by the secretary and the commissioners show that we had a positive and constructive dialogue," said Quader.
The Election Commission has been hosting a series of dialogues with political parties for the 2019 parliamentary election. During its meeting with the BNP, CEC Huda said its founder and former military ruler Ziaur Rahman "re-established multi-party democracy" in Bangladesh.
The comment raised brows and drew protests from several including Krishak Sramik Janata League chief Kader Siddique, who walked out of his meeting with the Election Commission.
During his meeting with 21 leaders of the Awami League, CEC Huda, a former civil servant, praised the ruling party for "Bangladesh's every achievement".

"He destroyed the powers of the Constitution and institutions to begin a dictatorship."
The Awami League team told the EC meeting that the 1977 election organised by Zia was a "farce" that "destroyed democracy" and "robbed the people of voting rights", a trend that continued until the fall of "the next dictator" HM Ershad in 1990.
"Don't start debates on matters settled in history," an Awami League leader told EC officials during the meeting.
"A senior party leader advised the commission to be more careful because the CEC's comment leaves scope for misinterpretation and debate," said an Awami League leader, seeking anonymity.
Acting EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed said the meeting with Awami League was "very successful".
When asked if the ruling party asked for an explanation on CEC Huda's praising of Ziaur Rahman, he said, "The issue wasn't raised in the meeting after that. No more questions on this were raised in the meeting that went on for two hours."
More stories
WARNING:
Any unauthorised use or reproduction of bdnews24.com content for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited and constitutes copyright infringement liable to legal action.
- Three dead, two injured after car crashes into covered van in Mymensingh
- Contradictions in Kathmandu crash report: US-Bangla
- Zia Charitable Trust graft case: Hearing postponed again over Khaleda’s illness
- Child rape suspect killed in police ‘shootout’ in Satkhira
- BNP seeks update on Khaleda Zia’s health condition from home minister
- Four die in Gaibandha road crash
- RAB mobile court jails seven for two years for selling Hilsha fry in Dhaka
- Driver could press the brake pedal: Rosina recalls terrifying accident moments at Banani
- Arif Khan Joy says PM orders punitive actions against those who manhandled him in London
- Girl, 10, allegedly raped in Chattogram’s Banshkhali
Most Read
- Photos of home minister, police chief, RAB DG's palanquin rides go viral
- Bangladesh govt limited right to peaceful assembly in 2017: US
- Contradictions in Kathmandu crash report: US-Bangla
- Driver could press the brake pedal: Rosina recalls terrifying accident moments at Banani
- PM vows to bring Tarique back from London, says she talked to UK govt about his extradition
- Bangladesh Rising Conference to be held at Harvard University May 12
- David Copperfield forced to reveal his secret trick following lawsuit
- BNP urges govt to transfer Khaleda Zia to United Hospital
- Radio disc jockey Musfiq Farhan shows new side in music video
- Police arrest woman cricketer with yaba tablets in Chattogram