BNP demands probe into EC recruitment anomaly allegations

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File Photo: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Rajib Dhar/Dhaka Tribune

BNP Standing Committee holds a meeting at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office on Saturday night

BNP has demanded an investigation into the allegations of anomalies in appointing workforce to the Election Commission (EC).

At a meeting of the BNP Standing Committee at its chairperson’s Gulshan office on Saturday night, the party also urged the government to form a commission to probe the allegations of repression of Bangladeshi female workers abroad, reports UNB

“The Election Commission is divided over its appointment process. The chief election commissioner and the commission secretary are unilaterally appointing people and carrying out different activities that are against the constitution,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, he also said: “We think an investigation is necessary into the corruption in the Election Commission. There is a public perception that corruption is going on in the commission. So, immediate steps should be taken to look into it.”

Fakhrul also renewed their party’s demand for resignation of the chief election commissioner for his “negative” role in the 11th parliamentary elections.

About the repression of female migrant workers, he said Bangladeshi migrant workers, especially female ones, have long been subjected to inhuman torture and physical and psychological harassment abroad. “They are even being killed.”

The BNP leader alleged that the government has failed to play a due role in preventing the harassment of and violence against the migrant workers.

“We think it is the government’s constitutional duty to ensure security of all the citizens. We call upon the government to form a commission to unearth the truth in this regard and take steps to resolve the prevailing problems.”

He regretted that though over a week has elapsed since they sent a letter to the prime minister seeking information about the bilateral documents signed with India in October last, they still did not get any response.

Under the circumstances, Fakhrul said they will send a letter to the Foreign Ministry soon seeking information about the bilateral documents as per the Right to Information Act.

He said the BNP Standing Committee hoped that the medical board of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) will submit a proper report on the party Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s health condition before the Appellate Division on December 5 so that she gets justice.

At the meeting, the party leaders also discussed various issues relating to the soaring price hike, India’s NRC (National Register of Citizens), and Rohingya crisis, Fakhrul said.

Fakhrul said their party will hold press conferences on essential price hike on December 3 and on the NRC on December 7.

Besides, they will arrange a seminar soon on widespread corruption across the country, he added.

BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Selima Rahman were present in the meeting.

Source: Dhaka Tribune.