The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission is yet to decide which faction of the BNP it is going to invite to the dialogue on electoral reforms.

Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda Friday denied some newspaper reports that the Commission has decided to invite BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain for the dialogue.

"I flatly deny the reports… We've not taken any decision whatsoever regarding the invitation to BNP for the dialogue," he told a news agency over telephone.

Replying to a question, the CEC said he did not make any such comments to reporters. The decision regarding BNP would be taken at the full-fledged Commission's meeting after scrutinising the BNP's constitution, he added.

The CEC said the Commission's meeting might take place end of this month or first week of next month, as there is enough time ahead of sitting down with BNP.

"We can't invite both the groups. After scrutinising the BNP constitution concerning expulsion, we will invite one group," he said.

Replying to another question, Dr Huda said the Commission would send invitation letter and working papers 15 days ahead of the BNP's meeting schedule.

Meanwhile, BNP chairperson's adviser Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah Friday hastily welcomed the Chief Election Commissioner's reported decision to invite BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain to the dialogue.

The Election Commission's dialogue with BNP is set for November 22. Confusion was raised over the EC's invitation for dialogue as both Delwar and expelled BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan claimed to be representing mainstream BNP.

CEC Dr ATM Shamsul Huda reportedly stated that the Election Commission examined the BNP constitution and found Khandaker Delwar Hossain as BNP secretary general.

Before being arrested on September 3, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in a written order dated September 2 expelled Bhuiyan from the post of secretary general and also primary membership of BNP.

Talking to reporters at his New DOHS house, Hannan Shah said the CEC's decision would discourage those who tried to create confusion among the leaders and workers of BNP.

"We hope, those people will no longer try to stage a makeshift drama against BNP and will refrain from making a duplicate BNP," he said, adding that if any expelled BNP member takes any decision in the name of BNP that would be illegal.

Hannan said certain quarters wanted to mislead BNP to fulfil its own interest. "But people don't go for shopping with obsolete currency."

Referring to Khaleda Zia's pre-arrest remarks and announcement made by the new secretary general, he said BNP's doors are open. If anyone confesses one's fault, one can return to mainstream of BNP.

He said the CEC's remarks proved who are the main BNP.

On dialogue with the Election Commission, Hannan Shah said: "We must know the agenda of the discussion and then we will take decision in consultation at the party forum."