Jamaat calls for scrapping EC additional secretary’s appointment

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded the cancellation of the appointment of Md Shamsul Alam as additional secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat, alleging that the move was politically biased.

Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar made the demand at an emergency press conference organised by the party at Al-Falah auditorium in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, today (28 July).

He said the Election Commission is a highly sensitive constitutional institution whose foundation depends on complete neutrality and public trust.

“Unfortunately, Md Shamsul Alam has recently been appointed as additional secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat on a contractual basis. He holds an important position in a specific committee of the BNP,” Porwar alleged.

He claimed that appointing an active political figure to a sensitive institution like the Election Commission would undermine the credibility of free, fair and impartial elections.

“Such a step will damage the neutrality of the Election Commission and public confidence. The controversial and biased appointment of Md Shamsul Alam must be cancelled immediately,” he said.

Porwar also urged the government to ensure that only widely accepted and completely neutral individuals are appointed to the Election Commission and other constitutional bodies in the future.

He alleged that despite promises of state, constitutional and institutional reforms and an end to politicisation before the election, political appointments were continuing in government, autonomous and constitutional institutions.

The Jamaat leader criticised what he described as politically motivated appointments to district councils, city corporations, development authorities, various corporations and other important institutions.

He also called for local government elections to be held without delay, saying elected representatives should run local government bodies in line with the Constitution instead of appointing administrators.

Expressing concern over the deteriorating law and order situation, Porwar said rising incidents of killings and crimes had created anxiety among people and urged the government to take effective measures to ensure public safety.