BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday described the activities of the search committee as a 'joke', and said it is 'meaningless' to send names to the search panel for the formation of the Election Commission.

“There's nothing but a joke in its (search committee's) activities. The sole purpose of it is to confuse people and mislead them.  It’s completely an eyewash," he said.

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Speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson's Gulshan office, Fakhrul also said it was proved through the national elections in 2014 and 2018, and the local government polls that a credible election is not possible under the Awami League government.

"So, BNP thinks sending names to the search committee and forming the Election Commission are completely pointless," he said.

The BNP leader said the new Election Commission will be formed like the last two ones through the search committee giving the ruling party a scope to control the elections in the same style as it did in the past.
  
"BNP thinks a neutral, fair and acceptable election is not possible under any circumstances under the illegitimate Awami League government which has been in power without peopel's mandate," he observed.

Fakhrul said their party thinks the transfer of power to a neutral government for holding an inclusive and acceptable election through an impartial election commission and thus establishing a representative parliament and government is the only way to overcome the current crisis in the country.

On February 5, a six-member search committee was formed under the "Appointments of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners Act-2022". The search committee will  propose 10 names to the President for appointing the new CEC and the Election Commissioners.

Referring to a liked telephonic conversation between Law minister Anisul Huq and the Prime Minster's adviser Salman F Rahman about government projects, Fakhrul said, “As the Law Minister has acknowledged the authenticity of the conversation, it's essential  to unveil the truth through a fair and impartial investigation."

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The BNP leader urged the Anti-Corruption Commission to conduct an impartial inquiry and take effective action in this regard. 

He said their party standing committee at a meeting expressed deep concern over the growing prices of essential commodities like rice, pulses, oil and the gradual increase in the prices of fuel oil, gas and water. "The middle-class, lower-income people and workers are going through serious ordeals due to the hike in essential prices and the tariffs of utility services."

He demanded the government take immediate steps to reduce the prices of essential commodities and stop the move to raise the tariffs of water, gas and oil.