BNP called for the reconstitution of the Election Commission (EC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) today which they claim are still influenced by appointees from the ousted Sheikh Hasina government.

BNP standing committee member AZM Zahid Hossain, during a press briefing, said individuals backed by Hasina are still in the positions of the two constitutional bodies.

“Now it is very urgent to reconstitute the Election Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission since individuals’ beneficiaries of the previous government have been installed in these two institutions,” the BNP leader said.

He also said it is the responsibility of the government to remove all these beneficiaries. “AS this government is an outcome of the student-led mass movement, we believe they’ll fulfil their duties properly in this regard,” Zahid said.

Zahid alleged that the Election Commission formed during Sheikh Hasina’s regime was merely a puppet, and it kept the major contributions to cement the power of Hasina. “This’s a fake election commission. It’s a partisan and subservient commission. Even after the fall of that autocratic government, this commission remains in place,” he said.

He said the last three Election Commissions, which arranged dummy polls on January 7, conducted voting at night, and presented MPs without actual voting, are identical in nature.

“The current commission still remains shamelessly in place. I hope this Election Commission will act with good sense and resign to avoid public outrage, allowing the government to form a new Election Commission,” the BNP leader also said.

Otherwise, he warned that the members of the current EC will not be able to protect themselves from public wrath.

Zahid also slammed the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), stating that beneficiaries of the previous autocratic regime are now serving as commissioners and officials within the ACC.

“As of last night (Tuesday night), our relief efforts have significantly expanded, and we have distributed over 13 crore taka in relief supplies and cash to the flood victims,” Zahid added.