DHAKA: Most invited leaders of different political parties at a regional meet arranged by the Election Commission Saturday felt “embarrassed” finding seated beside them top Jamaat leaders accused of crimes against humanity during the 1971 War of Liberation.
Jamaat Ameer Matiur Rahman Niazmi and Secretary-General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed attended the inauguration of the two-day ‘Meeting on Cooperation between Election Commissions of South Asia Region’ at a city hotel.
The regional meeting aims at building a forum for exchanging information, experiences and innovative technologies, as the ECs have to do the daunting king-making task like holding elections.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed, as chief guest, addressed the inaugural session, presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda.
There were musings that the Law Minister also felt uncomfortable to see the “top bosses” of Jamaat and declined to go to the programme venue, but the CEC personally requested him to attend the function because of the presence of foreign guests.
''We have invited them (Jamaat leaders) as they are the members of a political party registered with the EC,'' the CEC told banglanews24.com.bd after the opening session, trying to defuse the controversy.
He said that the EC also invited presidents and secretaries of all registered political parties or their representatives to attend the function.
''We have arranged this programme not only for the EC officials but political parties also. They are our stakeholders in holding a free and fair election for strengthening the country’s democratic process,'' CEC Shamsul Huda said.
Replying to a query about the absence of the representatives of major political parties like the ruling Awami League and the main opposition BNP, the CEC said, ''I don't know the reason behind. If inviting Jamaat-e-Islami is the only reason, then I must say I had nothing to do.''
Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon MP, CPB president Monjurul Ahsan Khan, Justice Sultan Hossain Khan, Professor Muzaffer Ahmed, Columnist Syed Abul Moksud, Janipop Chairman Prof Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah and members of the civil society were among others present at the meeting.
Raising question over the sitting arrangements for the invitees, Rashed Khan menon said: “I didn't sit on my fixed seat...I sat in a different row''. He added: 'The EC had invited them, but I do have the right not to sit with them.''
Expressing his resentment over the sitting arrangements, Monjurul Ahsan Khan of CPB said, “The Jamaat leaders were already there. 'If I knew it before, I wouldn't attend the programme.''
BDST: 1445 HRS. May 29, 2010
AKR/LY/MUA
