CEC Nurul Huda says he stands by his statement on Zia

Chief Election Commissioner Nurul Huda, who faced sharp criticism from the ruling Awami League after saying BNP founder Ziaur Rahman 'reinstated multiparty democracy', defended his statement.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Huda reiterated the remark and said he “owns up to it”.

 

Huda emerged before the media to share the Election Commission's three-month series of talks with political parties and other stakeholders over the next national election.

  

"It's Zia who reinstated multiparty democracy. I did not mean to please anyone. It's a fact."

 

Elaborating on his statement, the chief election commissioner said: “Democracy existed before 1975, but not between 1975 and 1977. Ziaur Rahman brought back multiparty democracy."

 

 

"He held elections, in which the Awami League participated, which reinstated multiparty democracy in the country."  

The ruling Awami League, which describes Zia as a dictator, says the 1977 referendum was a 'farce' and it was aimed to legalise his usurpation of power.

On Oct 15, Huda went on to

praise the former military ruler

during a discussion with the BNP, which was founded by Zia.

His remarks evoked sharp reactions from the ruling party stalwarts.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said they have sought the CEC's explanation during their Oct 18 talks with the commission. He, however, did not say how Huda responded.

Asked what the ruling party sought to know from him, CEC Huda said: “Not so. The statement I made that day clarified my stance to them.”

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