BNP rebuffs EC talks invite

Dhaka, June 21 (bdnews24.com)?Opposition BNP has snubbed the Election Commission's invite to join the ongoing talks, terming electoral body 'disputed'.

In a letter to the EC on Tuesday, the party said, "We think it will be appropriate if the disputed commission does not initiate reforms of laws and rules and rather leave the job to the next commission."

The letter signed by acting secretary-general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was dated June 13.

Tenure of the current commission expires on February next year.

The electoral commission already has held talks with registered political parties to exchange opinions on further amendment of the election laws, and issues like state funding for poll expenditure, e-voting introduction, formulation of demarcation rules and procedure of appointment of the election commissioners.

Commissioner M Sakhawat Hossain said they would respond to the BNP letter later.

"We have a schedule for the party [BNP] until [Wednesday]," he told bdnews24.com.

The BNP did not join the dialogue with the EC, scheduled for June 13. The commission later invited the party again to the talks on any day between June 19 and Wednesday.

However, party chairperson Khaleda Zia at a press conference on June 16 rejected the call alleging that the current EC was not impartial.

The chief election commissioner on Monday said it would be sad if BNP does not join the dialogue.

"BNP's decision [not to join the dialogue] is sad. The Election Commission has nothing to do if anyone doesn't come," A T M Shamsul Huda told reporters.

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