DHAKA: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda at a press conference on Thursday (October 26) defended his comment that BNP founder and late President Ziaur Rahman restored the multi-party democracy in the country.

“Yes, I own my comment. I said that Ziaur Rahman restored the multi-party democracy. I said it based on facts, as from 1975 to 1977 there was no democracy in the country and in that time the multi-party democracy was restored under the leadership of Ziaur Rahman,” the CEC said while replying to a question of the journalists.

The press conference was arranged at the Election Commission building in the city following the recently held dialogue with political parties and others.

KM Nurul Huda during the EC’s talks with the BNP on October 15 lauded the BNP, Ziaur Rahman and also BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia for introducing new trends in running the state and a variety of development programs. He had made the comment about Ziaur Rahman in the dialogue.

The CEC was criticized by the Awami League leaders and pro-Awami League elements for the comment.

KM Nurul Huda on Thursday also said that all records say Ziaur Rahman restored the multi-party democracy which many political parties including the Awami League joined in the parliamentary elections.

About army deployment, he said that the EC will decide in this regard later, as the next general elections are still far away.

During the polls talks with the EC, most political parties wanted the deployment of the army before the next general elections.

About compromise among the political parties, he said that the EC won’t take any initiative in this regard, as it is not matter of the commission.

BDST: 1440 HRS, OCT 26, 2017
EHJ/SMS