Dhaka: BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said its participation in the national election will depend on the Election Commission’s role and the type of government at that time though they will join the local body polls under the new election body.

“It’s open the new Chief Election Commissioner is a partisan person. He and other commissioners took oath toady (Wednesday)… we’re going to local government polls under it. But, whether we’ll join the parliamentary elections, it depends on the role of the Commission and the type of government at that time,” he said.

Fakhrul came up with the comment while speaking at a discussion at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) arranged by National People's Party (NPP).

Newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda and four other election commissioners assumed office on Wednesday after they were sworn in.

The new Election Commission will conduct the next general election scheduled for January, 2019.

Fakhrul said the new CEC is loyal to Awami League as he is involved with its politics.

“He (Huda) had been in politics since his student life. He is known as an identified Awami Leaguer and he lost his job for his political affiliation. Newspapers have published photographs where it was seen that Awami League leaders were treating him with sweets for being appointed the CEC,” the BNP leader said.

Fakhrul said Huda was given the responsibility to carry out electioneering in favour of Awami League in 2008 national election. “We’re not making any comment about him without any evidence.’”

He said President Hamid could not fulfill their party’s expectation though they had confidence in him that he would play a positive role for the country’s future and its people coming out of his political position. “It’s unfortunate he couldn’t act as a statesman.”

Fakhrul criticised the ruling party men for what he said defaming Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus by involving him in Padma Bridge corruption conspiracy allegation. “Dr Yunus is our pride. The entire world respects him.”

He said it cannot be denied that the The Grameen Bank founded by Yunus played a role in transforming Bangladesh’s economy.