Awami League has installed submissive CEC to win election: Khaleda

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has said the Awami League has planned to win the next parliamentary polls with the help of a 'partisan' chief election commissioner.

She made the allegation while speaking to the victorious pro-BNP lawyers of Dhaka District Bar Association at her Gulshan office on Sunday.

"The government has already made its plan for the next election. They have appointed an obedient CEC," she said.

"This CEC is not a competent and impartial person in any way. So, now you understand that the Awami League has planned something bad," she added.

The Election Commission led by CEC KM Nurul Huda, a former secretary, has taken over from the one of Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, much criticised by the BNP, which ended its tenure in mid-February.

This commission will oversee the 2019 parliamentary election.

Freedom fighter Nurul Huda was sent on forced retirement during the BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami government. He got his job back following a court order later.

Khaleda urged the pro-BNP lawyers to unite and ensure victory in the upcoming Supreme Court Bar Association election.

In the elections to the Dhaka District Bar Association on last Wednesday and Thursday, pro-BNP-Jamaat Blue Panel won 21 posts, including those of president and general secretary.

The pro-Awami League lawyers of White Panel secured six posts, including the treasurer's one.

The BNP chief said her party will return to power if free and fair elections are held.

"We believe in democracy, rule of law, the people's welfare, justice. And we want fair elections," shet said.

The former prime minister also slated the government over different issues, including the hike in gas prices and plan to raise power prices, 'corruption, land grabbing', and attacks on minorities.