Dialogue on EC reconstitution nothing but a farce: Rizvi

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday termed a farce the ongoing dialogue on the reconstitution of the Election Commission (EC). “This dialogue is not meant for holding a free, fair and transparent election at all,” he said.

Speaking at a programme at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi said even a crazy person does not believe that the government--which does not allow its opponent to go to polls and voters to go to polling stations--will form a neutral EC and hold a credible election.

"But the state is holding a dialogue to stage a farce. This dialogue is nothing but a farce. It’s also a joke with the nation,” the BNP leader said.

He alleged that dialogue has been arranged to show the country’s people and the international community that the government is reconstituting the EC through a search committee after the talks with political parties.

Rizvi said the purpose of the talks is to reconstitute a pro-Awami League Election Commission which will remain subservient to the government like Nurul Hud and Rakibuddin-led ones.

At the programme, over 100 leaders and activists of Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (Jagpa), led by its joint general secretary Insan Alam Akkas, joined Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal presenting a bouquet to Rizvi.

President Abdul Hamid began the talks with the registered political parties over the formation of the new EC on December 20 with the first parley with the main opposition in parliament, Jatiya Party.