Dhaka: Jatiya Oikyafront chief Dr Kamal Hossain on Tuesday questioned the role of the Election Commission EC) in ensuring a credible national election.

‘We’ve got the independence through an election. People still expect many things from the election. But Election Commission must demonstrate its neutrality for holding a free and fair election,’ he said, reports the UNB.

Talking to reporters after a meeting with National Democratic Institute (NDI) at a city hotel, Dr Kamal further said, ‘You’re observing the activities of the Election Commission and evaluate whether it’s working neutrally.’

He said though the Oikyafront had a demand for delaying the election for a month, the EC only deferred it by a week. ‘The Election Commission is not supposed to be loyal to the government and the government can’t ask the Commission not to defer the election.’

About the meeting with NDI, he said they talked about the overall election atmosphere.

Gano Forum’s Habiganj-1 seat candidate Dr Reza Kibria was also present at the meeting.

Talking to UNB, Reza said the NDI asked them about the election atmosphere and level-playing field and Dr Kaml briefed them about it.

Reza said he talked about the cancelation of his nomination papers by the returning officer.

A five-member NDI delegation, led by Jacqueline Corcoran, joined the meeting.