BNP pitches for EC move on polls-time government

The Election Commission will have to act to dissolve parliament and form a government that can facilitate free and fair election before the next parliamentary polls, the BNP says.

The party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the comment on Friday, a day after Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda clarified that the commission had no business about the polls-time government.

The BNP has been demanding a non-partisan government during the polls as the party alleges free and fair election is impossible with the Awami League in power.

The BNP also renewed the demand in its proposals during recent dialogue with the EC on the next election. The party is yet to detail the type of government it wants for the polls.

"We said a couple of days ago that the Election Commission's dialogue with the political parties is mere eyewash. Because they (EC) have been saying that they cannot do anything beyond their authority," Mirza Fakhrul said.

"There are two jobs beyond their authority - dissolving parliament and forming a neutral government before the election.

"If they can't do these, the election will not be free, fair and acceptable to all.

"That's why I think the Election Commission should take the step to conduct the election on the basis of talks with the political parties," he added.   

He was replying to media' queries on the CEC's comments after placing wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

"I want to make it clear that the election will never be meaningful and acceptable to all the parties if a polls-time government is not formed, if parliament is not dissolved, if army is not deployed," he said.

He suggested that the BNP will not accept the election.