The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

BNP chairperson's adviser Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah yesterday demanded resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Dr Shamsul Huda for his remarks that he wants to hold general election in 1970 style.

Shah said the CEC's comments meant that he wants to give opportunity to a particular political party. Awami League secured 160 seats out 162 in the then East Pakistan, which made League majority party in Pakistan National Assembly.

Talking to media men at his New DOHS apartment the BNP leader said the CEC's resignation wouldn't impact on holding the election on December 18. "A new CEC will be able to conduct free and fair election," he said.

Shah said the CEC has already made himself controversial for his different steps, including delimitation of constituencies. "The remarks about the 1970 elections have pushed him towards further controversies. His inclination towards a particular party and hostility towards others have again been reflected through this."

Referring to the pending cases against delimitation, Shah said the CEC earlier had announced that the election schedule would be announced on November 2, but now they do not know when the schedule could be announced.

"The Commission," he said, "is trying to evade its wrongdoing by making court scapegoat."