Accusing entire election system is unexpected, irrational: Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said accusing the entire election system is unexpected and irrational.

"Some 42 eminent citizens of the country sent a letter to the president, demanding the formation of a supreme judicial council over allegations of irregularities and misconduct against the Election Commission [EC], but experts think that such a demand is illogical," he said at a press conference on contemporary affairs at the Secretariat on Monday.

He also said, "Such a demand makes the president, the guardian of the state and the custodian of the country's constitution, embarrassed." 

Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the independent Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has the jurisdiction to conduct a probe into any irregularity.

"Nobody in the republic is above the law. The ACC has the jurisdiction to launch probes into graft allegations or irregularities," he said. 

About the ongoing local government elections, Quader said the Awami League has taken a harsher stance against its rebel candidates in these polls.

Issuing warnings to the Awami League rebel candidates who have been contesting in the local government elections, Quader said those who join the polls ignoring decisions of the Awami League Local Government Public Representative Nomination Board, will be considered as violating party discipline.

The Awami League leaders, who abide by the party's decisions, will be considered in different ways in the future, he added. 

Calling upon Awami League leaders and activists to be united so that Awami League-nominated candidates can win in these elections, Quader warned that those who do not follow the party's decisions will not be considered for the party nominations and posts in the future.

He asked the authorities concerned to discuss allegations, if any, at the party's internal forum.