BNP urges EC not to assign officials from ‘controversial organisations’ in poll duties
They say Islami Bank, Al-Arafah Bank, Ibn Sina Trust officials shouldn’t be presiding officers
The BNP has urged the Election Commission (EC) not to appoint officials from controversial or partisan organisations as polling officers in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, citing concerns over neutrality.
A three-member BNP delegation, led by the party's Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan, met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC headquarters today (23 October) and presented a 36-point discussion paper during the meeting.
According to the document, the BNP requested that in the interest of maintaining electoral neutrality, "no officials or employees of organisations widely recognised as partisan – such as Islami Bank, Al-Arafah Bank, Islami Bank Hospital, or Ibn Sina Trust - should be appointed as presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, or polling officers."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The document also noted that "around 5,000 officials of Islami Bank have reportedly been dismissed nationwide, with these vacant positions being swiftly filled by party loyalists."
However, after the meeting, Abdul Moyeen Khan told reporters, "We have not submitted any proposal."
BNP sources, however, confirmed that the party carried a written list of discussion points meant for the EC meeting, though it was not officially submitted.
Speaking at a press briefing after the meeting, Moyeen Khan reiterated the BNP's stance, saying, "No controversial individuals should be appointed to oversee polling duties."
Journalists observed that he was holding a document titled "Proposals for Ensuring a Free and Fair Election – Discussion Paper for the Meeting with the Election Commission."
