BNP Boycotts Search Committee Again

The BNP and its like-minded parties did not propose any name to the search committee even after extended time to propose names for the formation of the Election Commission.

As a result, it became more certain that the Election Commission, which was going to conduct the next national election, would face opposition from the BNP and its allies.

Although the Election Commission headed by KM Nurul Huda expired on Monday, it could not be confirmed who will be in the next commission.

After the Election Commission formed a search committee by law, the committee sought names from various parties, organizations, and eminent persons by February 11. It is also said that anyone can propose his own name.

Despite joining the two previous dialogues of the President to form the Election Commission, the BNP has decided not to have any contact with the search committee as it has boycotted this dialogue. They did not propose any name to this committee.

Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, the founder of the Gonoshasthaya Kendra, requested in the first-day meeting of the search committee with more than three hundred names in hand, that the committee should ask the BNP for another name.

The next day, the search committee said the parties that did not submit their names would be able to submit their names by 5 pm on Monday.

However, BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said, "Even if the term of the search committee is extended for another five days, we will not go for it."

The BNP has gone back to the old demands of a non-party government during the elections. They are also saying that they will continue the movement with its demand, although they have returned empty-handed after participating in the movement twice before.

The party demanded that the current government step down before the vote. Then the non-partisan government will come and form the election commission, which will organize the voting.

The search committee, which has held three meetings with eminent persons and two among itself, is going to hold its next meeting on Tuesday. The committee has also been informed to publish more than three hundred names already submitted.

The committee wants to propose 10 names to the President. The proposal has been asked to be finalized by February 24.