Amir Khosru optimistic about fair elections under new EC

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday wished the newly sworn-in Election Commission every success and expressed the hope that it would be able to conduct a credible national election at the earliest.

"The formation of the Election Commission is a positive step, as there are high expectations surrounding it. With the new commission taking its oath today (Sunday), it has sent out a positive message," he said.

The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to reporters at the BNP Chairperson‍‍`s office in Gulshan, following a meeting between Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramis Sen and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Khosru, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said both local and international stakeholders are eager to know the roadmap for the upcoming election. "Everyone, including foreign stakeholders, is waiting to see when the election will be held in Bangladesh."

"We hope the Commission will succeed in fulfilling the expectations of the people and work towards ensuring a fair election as soon as possible. That is our expectation," he said.

The BNP leader said the foreign friends want Bangladesh to return to a democratic order through a peaceful transition.

"All stakeholders, both at home and abroad, are waiting to see how quickly Bangladesh can restore its democratic order. They have plans, ideas, and investments in mind in the coming days of the country," he observed.

Khosru said the restoration of a democratic order, through an elected government accountable to people, would help international stakeholders make proper decisions about their future plans in Bangladesh.

He said the Turkish envoy expressed willingness to assist Bangladesh in building capacity across various sectors and supporting institutional reforms, including within the Election Commission.

Khosru said Ramis Sen also enquired about the possible timeline for the national election in Bangladesh.

The Turkish envoy visited the BNP Chairperson‍‍`s Gulshan office, where he had a nearly 45-minute meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Khosru and BNP Organising Secretary Shama Obed were also present at the meeting.

Earlier in the day, the newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), AMM Md Nasir Uddin, along with the four other commissioners, took their oath of office.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed administered the oath-taking ceremony at the judges‍‍` lounge of the Supreme Court in the afternoon.

The commissioners were appointed by President Mohammed Shahabuddin in accordance with Section 118(1) of the Constitution.