Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan on Sunday stated that his party will oppose any proposal from the Election System Reform Commission if it is perceived as an obstacle to holding free and fair elections.
He made the remarks during a briefing at the Election Building in Agargaon on Sunday.
The comments came in response to questions about the Chief Election Commissioner's (CEC) recent statement that three proposals from the reform commission could undermine the Election Commission's (EC) independence. Khan emphasized that the BNP would resist any such measures that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
A three-member BNP delegation met with the Election Commission on Sunday to discuss various issues related to the upcoming national elections. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Khan said that the government would finalize its decisions on the reform commission's recommendations after consultations with stakeholders. He added that the EC would have to abide by any changes to laws or regulations resulting from these discussions, though no such changes have been made yet.
Khan noted that the BNP delegation discussed election preparations with the EC and inquired about the progress of updating the voter list. "It seems the Election Commission is preparing for the elections in the right manner," he said. He also mentioned that the EC is expected to complete the updated voter list by May-June, which would allow for the timely organization of elections.
However, Khan pointed out that the EC does not currently have the authority to decide on the election schedule independently. "The commission will organize the elections based on the government's request, considering political opinions," he said.
When asked about the BNP's preferred timeline for the elections, Khan stated that the party believes elections could be held quickly if the EC completes its preparations by May-June. "If the Election Commission is fully prepared by May-June, elections can be organized very soon. Although there are some relevant issues, they can be resolved to expedite the election process," he said.
Khan also mentioned that the BNP has a meeting with the Prime Minister's principal advisor on Monday, where they plan to raise the issue of the election schedule. "Since the government is responsible for announcing the election date, we will discuss this matter in tomorrow's meeting," he added.
The BNP's stance highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding electoral reforms and the timeline for the next national elections in Bangladesh.
