Both dates of Begum Zia's birth, award are not specific: Hasan

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud Friday said the date of giving award to BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is not specific as like as her date of birth. "Showing proper respect to Begum Zia, I want to say that the date of giving award to her is not appropriate as like as her date of birth. Her name is not also in the website of award givers," he said. Hasan, also Awami League Joint General Secretary, said this while reply to a question of journalists after attending a programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) at Agargaon in the city.

The minister said Begum Zia has five dates of birth -- one in marriage registration, one in passport, one in credentials as prime minister, one in matriculation in which examination she failed and another one in Covid certificate. Moreover, she got award in July 31, 2018 but it was known in 2022, he said, adding that but her name is not in the website of the organization which is being supposed to award her.

When people are laughing at their acts, Begum Zia's party leaders are talking like perplexed persons, he mentioned. Asked about BNP's another comment that formation of EC Search Committee is a conspiracy to keep Awami League in power again, Hasan said BNP appeared through conspiracy, using of arms and on the bodies of people and as they always stay amid conspiracy, they see conspiracy in everything.

The minister said Election Commission is not formed through search committee in such a transparent way in many democratic countries like that of Bangladesh. Election Commission (EC) formation act has been formulated for constituting the EC through search committee with maintaining more transparency and accountability and the committee started working, he mentioned. He said election is never held under the government rather it is held under Election Commission.

Since announcement of election schedule, the government has not even the authority to transfer a police constable and BNP leaders including  its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir know it very well. He said BNP leaders are making such comments as they have become isolated from the people.

Dr Hasan along with other guests handed over prizes among the winners.