Dhaka: The New Election Commission (EC) started its five-year journey on Wednesday with its chief promising to win the trust of all political parties, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and urging the government not to influence.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also hoped the new EC will be able to earn people’s confidence through performing its duties neutrally and independently being loyal to the country’s sacred Constitution.

BNP, however, said they will closely observe the Commission’s activities and its future role in conducting local body polls will depend on the party’s participation in the 11th parliament polls under it.

Jatiya Party, the opposition in parliament, earlier welcomed the new Commission hoping the party will get fair treatment from it unlike other Commissions formed since the 90s.

The new commission has drawn the attention of people, political parties and civil society members as it will conduct the next general election due in January, 2019.

Nurul Huda, the country’s 12th CEC, and four election commissioners -- former additional secretary Mahbub Talukder, former secretary Md Rafiqul Islam, former district and sessions judge Kabita Khanam and Brig Gen (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury— joined office at 4:25 pm after they were sworn in at 3 pm.

Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha administered the oath at the Supreme Court Judges’ Lounge.

Soon after assuming office, the CEC and his deputies appeared before a press conference at EC Bhaban.

Speaking at the maiden press meet, Nurul Huda promised to hold fair polls. “We’ll continue to work to win the trust of not only of BNP but also of all small and major political parties.”

He, however, said their only challenge is to present fair elections. “We’ll work out a plan for this (to arrange fair polls) through discussion with my colleagues.”

The CEC said their Commission will not allow any influence from any quarter going beyond the Constitution and laws. “It’s our call to the government not to influence (the EC). There’s no scope to influence as we discharge the constitutional duty. We’ll perform the duty impartially and we’ll never be influenced by anyone,” he said.

Huda, however, at the press conference dismissed the allegations brought by BNP saying he has no relation with any political party after taking oath as the CEC. “I’ve taken oath for working impartially. I’ll work accordingly.”

Huda sought cooperation from the government, political parties, civil society, media and people in performing his duties.

President Abdul Hamid on February 6 last reconstituted the Election Commission with former secretary KM Nurul Huda as the CEC following the recommendation of the search committee formed to pick names for the new election body.

The five-year tenure of immediate-past CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad and three election commissioners expired on February 8 last, while that of another election commissioner on February 14.