‘No alternative to independent EC secretariat’

Talking to BDNEWS, Mohammad Ali contradicted Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice MA Aziz who said that the EC is independent enough and there is no need to make its secretariat more independent.

The process and management of elections are dependent on the EC, Ali said, adding, "When there is any allegation regarding any election, it is the EC that has to shoulder the liabilities as it is involved in all electoral functions."

The EC secretariat should operate under the EC that should have financial freedom, he said.

Referring to the European Union's allegations of vote rigging, Ali said, "As the EC secretariat is under the prime minister's secretariat, investigations cannot be done independently."

Expressing dissatisfaction at the overlooking of his opinion on preparing a new voter list, he said, "Though the constitution says that the Election Commission will take decision collectively, the CEC is doing everything at will."