Dhaka: Mentioning that Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) is enjoying more freedom than that of any other country in the world, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on Wednesday said this independence has been given to the Commission by the current Awami League-led government. 

He came up with the remarks while delivering his speech during a dialogue with a 21-member Awami League delegation which joined the EC’s electoral talks, led by party general secretary Obaidul Quader.

Most of the rules and regulations the current EC is following have been promulgated by the Awami League government, the CEC added.   

‘Awami League has taken the country to the highway of development. Bangladesh has become a middle-income country and witnessed an uptrend on the world index of growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,’ he said.

After returning to power in 2008, the Awami League government, led by Sheikh Hasina, completed the trial of the killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the war criminals, the CEC added.

Describing Awami League as an ancient political party of the country, he said it played a vital role during the Language Movement in 1952, Mass Uprising in 1969 and the Liberation War in 1971.

After the Liberation War, Nurul Huda said, Bangabandhu had presented the country a Constitution within less than a year and formed the first parliamentary government in 1973.

The country’s black chapter began with the killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with most of his family members on August 15, 1975, he added.

Later, he said, Sheikh Hasina took the helm of Awami League and she earned the feat of becoming the first female opposition leader in the world.

Addressing the AL leaders who were present at the meeting, the CEC said, ‘The Commission arranged the dialogue to take suggestions and recommendations from you to hold a free, fair, and acceptable election.