BNP expresses approval of the new Election Commission, while the Nagarik Committee voices its opposition

On Sunday, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) welcomed the newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and four other election commissioners.

"After the Election Commission takes its oath, fulfilling the expectations of the people will become more attainable. We hope this commission will work to meet those expectations," said BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury during a press conference held at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka.

In contrast, the Jatiya Nagarik Committee, a platform representing youth leaders from the student-led uprising that ousted the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, rejected the appointments and the oath-taking of the new election commissioners.

The group called for the repeal of the controversial Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Appointment Act, 2022, enacted by the previous Awami League government, and demanded the cancellation of the newly formed AMM Nasir Uddin-led Election Commission. Additionally, they advocated for establishing a new Election Commission under a revised legal framework based on the recommendations of the Badiul Alam Majumder-led Election Reform Commission, set to submit its report by December 31.

Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka, the platform's spokesperson, Samanta Shermeen, condemned the formation of the Election Commission and criticized the timing of the appointments and oath-taking, which occurred before the Election Reform Commission could submit its recommendations.

"The government should have waited for the reform commission’s recommendations before initiating the process through the search committee. Unfortunately, it seems some parties were unwilling to wait until December 31," Shermeen stated. She added that the interim government had followed the same controversial law used by the "fascist Awami League in 2022 to undermine citizens’ voting rights."

Shermeen emphasized, "The Jatiya Nagarik Committee is deeply disappointed and strongly condemns this decision. We believe the government is failing to honor the aspirations of the people following the mass uprising."

The newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner, AMM Nasir Uddin, along with commissioners Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Begum Tahmida Ahmad, and former brigadier general Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, were sworn in at the Supreme Court on Sunday.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin had appointed Nasir Uddin, a former secretary, as the CEC, along with four others as commissioners, on November 21.

The press conference by the Jatiya Nagarik Committee was attended by convener Muhammad Nasiruddin Patwary, member secretary Akhter Hossen, and members Ariful Islam Adeeb and Sarwar Tusher, among others.