New EC formed with pro-Awami League bureaucrats: Jatiya Party

The newly-formed election commission has been formed with bureaucrats supporting the Awami League, said Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu.

He made the comment to the media after their party presidium meeting on Sunday.

He also expressed doubt about the capacity of the new EC to hold a free and acceptable election. The neutrality of the commission depends on their action, he added.

In answering a question, Mujibul Haque said neither BNP nor Awami League could ever hold a fair election.

He also noted that fair elections were not held, even under caretaker governments, as proved by both Awami League and BNP over the last 30 years.    

Citing former party chief Hussain Mohammad Ershad, Mujibul Haque said there is no alternative to proportional representation to ensure free, fair and acceptable elections.

He, however, placed emphasis on mutual trust and cooperation in holding fair and acceptable elections and said if all political parties do not agree unanimously, it is not possible to hold fair elections in Bangladesh.     

Referring to the present election commission law, Mujibul Haque said public servants are mandatorily instructed to work under the EC during elections, following their orders. But there is nothing said about what action will be taken against them if they do not follow the orders of the EC. 

"Our demand was to enact a law delegating power to the EC to take action against rowdy public servants who do not follow EC orders, but the government has not done so," he said.

Answering another question, Mujibul Haque said JP is an election-oriented party. "With almost two years left before elections, the party will decide later on whether or not it will take part in the elections," he added.