Bangladesh News

The speaker can do nothing to scrap or retain BNP lawmaker Salauddin Quader Chowdhury’s membership, Suranjit Sengupta, chief of a parliamentary body, said yesterday.

According to the constitution, the decision rests with the Election Commission, and the speaker may only render his opinion, he observed.

Asked about the ruling Awami League lawmaker’s comments, Speaker Abdul Hamid said, “Let my words be spoken by many.”

He also said he has yet to read the Wednesday’s letter where the EC asks the Parliament Secretariat to scrap Salauddin’s House membership for concealing information while seeking candidacy for the December 29 parliamentary polls.

Earlier, at a press briefing at the Media Centre of the Jatiya Sangsad, Suranjit said submitting false information in affidavit is immoral and against electoral laws.

Chairman of the standing committee on the law, justice and parliamentary affairs ministry, he also said, “Salauddin Quader Chowdhury had submitted the information to the Election Commission, which will now have to decide whether to make him vacate his seat.

“The electoral laws provide for the commission to take necessary steps if anyone is found to have furnished incorrect information.”

A provision in the Representation of the People Order requires parliamentary aspirants to submit eight-point personal information along with candidacy applications. It was included [in the RPO] in line with the High Court’s directives and everybody must abide by it, he continued.

Now that one is found to have not complied with the provision in the last general election, action must be taken against him, Suranjit said.