Dhaka, Jan 19 (V7N) — Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said that some problems during the selection of nomination papers are not unusual, adding that the Election Commission (EC) has so far been working competently.

He made the remarks after paying tribute to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman at his grave in Sher-e-Banglanagar on the occasion of the 90th birth anniversary of the former president and BNP founder.

Speaking to reporters, Mirza Fakhrul said that Ziaur Rahman’s contributions should always be remembered in Bangladesh’s political history. “Ziaur Rahman declared the independence of Bangladesh, ensured the independence of the press and the judiciary, and transformed an economy once described as a ‘bottomless basket’ into a self-reliant and progressing one,” he said.

He added that BNP commemorates Ziaur Rahman every year to draw inspiration from his ideals and move forward on the path he showed for the nation.

Referring to recent political developments, the BNP Secretary General said that the election schedule was announced for February 12 following the uprising of the student masses, after which what he termed as a “fascist Hasina” fled. “We have taken an oath here today to rebuild Bangladesh’s devastated economy and to re-institutionalize democracy,” he said, adding that BNP would work to implement the ideals of Ziaur Rahman in rebuilding the country.

Responding to questions regarding the cancellation of several BNP nomination papers, Mirza Fakhrul said such issues are not unprecedented. “It is not new that some complications arise during nomination scrutiny. So far, we have observed the Election Commission functioning with competence,” he said.

He further noted that the party had raised concerns it identified during the nomination process and expressed confidence that the Election Commission would be able to conduct the upcoming national election in a fair and competent manner.

END/SMA/AJ