Gazipur BNP lauds EC for adding new seat, pledges support

The EC plans to increase Gazipur's constituencies while reducing Bagerhat’s to balance voter numbers

Gazipur residents have expressed gratitude to the Election Commission (EC) for adding a new constituency in the district ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.

BNP leaders from Gazipur also pledged full cooperation with the EC to ensure a fair election.

During Tuesday’s hearing on constituency boundary objections for the Dhaka region, Gazipur representatives voiced only minor complaints but largely praised Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and his colleagues. The session was attended by the CEC, four other commissioners, and EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.

While residents of Bagerhat sharply criticised the reduction of one of their constituencies, Gazipur residents took the opposite stance.

“We had long hoped for an additional seat in Gazipur. The current CEC and commissioners stand number one in terms of honesty, dedication, and sincerity compared to any previous commission,” BNP leader AKM Fazlul Haque Milon said.

Although saying he would not “overpraise”, Milon added: “We are grateful for the generosity you have shown the people of Gazipur. You have taken a timely decision.”

He assured the EC of BNP’s support, saying: “We will stand by you and do our best. We will respond to any just cause and assist the EC in upholding rights.”

Responding at the end of the hearing, the EC Secretary said from the dais: “We are grateful simply because you came.”

On Jul 30, the EC published a draft delimitation plan for 300 parliamentary seats, proposing to reduce Bagerhat’s constituencies from four to three, while increasing Gazipur’s from five to six to balance voter numbers.