Zia restored multi-party democracy: CEC Huda

Chief election commissioner KM Nurul Huda has lauded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for setting new trends in running the state.

During the election commission's dialogue with the principal opposition party at the Election Bhaban on Sunday, the former bureaucrat further said the BNP's founder late president Ziaur Rahman restored multi-party democracy in the country.

The government of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman introduced one-party BKSAL system through 4th amendment to the constitution in 1975. Zia was elected president as BNP candidate in 1978 and the 2nd Jatiya Sangsad (national parliament) was formed through the ballot with participation of all major parties in 1979.

Huda also praised BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia for taking a number of important steps when she 'became the country's first female prime minister' in 1991 and again assumed office in 2001.

The CEC also listed a number of steps taken by the BNP-led governments including introduction of compulsory primary education, inception of Open University and National University, free education for women up to class XII, introduction of RAB, formation of Anti-Corruption Commission, a ministry for expatriates' welfare and the Law Commission and raising age limit for entry into government service to 30 years.

The BNP leaders appreciated his gesture and the party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said despite limitations of the election commission, they became optimistic after the dialogue.

The BNP also put forward a 20-point charter of demands including level-playing field for all parties, army deployment with power magistracy and poll-time supportive government for free and fair elections.

In response, the CEC told the BNP leaders that the commission would discuss their proposals.

"I think the BNP will be benefited most from the dialogue. The entire nation is looking at the dialogue here," Huda added.