Dhaka, Dec 22 (.): The BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed today announced that the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, is set to register as a voter on Friday, Dec 27, shortly after his return from London.
Ahmed’s remarks came post a BNP delegation’s meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner in Dhaka, reports Business Standard BD.
Confirming Rahman’s arrival schedule to be on Wednesday, Dec 25, as planned, he told reporters “The following day is Friday, so he will complete whatever is required regarding becoming a voter, obtaining a voter ID, or a national ID on December 27.”
The remarks followed an afternoon meeting between a three-member BNP delegation and CEC AMM Nasir Uddin. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud and Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed were also present.
The acting BNP chairperson, Rahman, has lived abroad for 18 years after a number of lawsuits were filed against him on charges of money laundering, corruption, and even attempted assassination during the rule of former PM Sheikh Hasina.
As such, his planned voter registration post his homecoming carries strong political significance as the country moves towards its next general election, with parties closely watching the EC’s preparations and the broader security situation.
The BNP delegation was led by Salahuddin Ahmed and included party chairperson’s advisory council member Ismail Zabiullah and former EC acting secretary Mohammad Zakaria. The meeting was held amid ongoing discussions between political parties and the Election Commission over preparations for the next national polls.
Speaking after the talks, the BNP leader, responding to a query over the election environment said: “Maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the government. During the election period, the Election Commission can appoint or transfer officials as it sees fit.”
Noting that certain legal provisions gave the EC jurisdiction in the administrative process, he said that the party hoped that this would allow for the creation of a festive environment, conducive for holding credible elections, adding, “We hope that the law and order situation will gradually improve.”
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