The New Nation - Internet Edition

The Awami League President Sk. Hasina went to prison appointing senior party leader Zillur Rahman as Acting President. The Election Commission invited Zillur Rahman for a dialogue.

We do not know the reason why BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia did not appoint senior party leader Saifur Rahman as Acting Chairperson when she went to prison. Begum Khaleda Zia appointed Brig (Retd) Hannan Shah as Chairperson's Adviser and Khondker Delwar Hossain as Acting General Secretary of the BNP.

The Election Commission did not invite Hannan Shah nor Khondkar Delwar Hossain for a dialogue. Saifur Rahman did not raise any objection when BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia appointed Hannan Shah and Khondkar Delwar Hossain.

But all on a sudden on the midnight of October 29 Saifur Rahman in a dramatic move declared himself as Acting Chairperson of BNP and Major Hafizuddin as Acting General Secretary of the party.

Under the extraordinary circumstances, the Election Commission invited Major Hafizuddin for a dialogue. The Chief Election Commissioner Dr. ATM Shamsul Huda said the "Doctrine of Necessity" was observed in inviting BNP reformists.

We are surprised why the Anti-Corruption officials could not visit and meet Sk. Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia in prison and discuss with them separately about GATCO case. Why the Election Commission official did not do so and discuss the dialogue matter with Begum Khaleda Zia in prison?

It is very interesting, important and significant that both 'Hannan Shah-Delwar Hossain' and 'Saifur Rahman-Hafizuddin' equally accept, respect and honour Begum Khaleda Zia as BNP Chairperson.

If the Election Commission officials could seek advice from Begum Khaleda Zia it would neither harm Election Commission nor it would have been out of jurisdiction of 'Doctrine of Necessity.'

Our Election Commission is pledge bound to hold a free and fair general election in 2008. It is imperative that all concerned must maintain the image, entity, activity, neutrality and integrity of our Election Commission neat, clean and pristine free from any sort of suspicion and controversy.

O.H. Kabir

Dhaka