Short time, tough task
FROM PAGE 1
“We will carry out our responsibilities, given by the honourable president on behalf of the nation, with utmost sincerity and fairness,” said Justice Hassan.
Replying to a query, he, however, said, “I cannot say whether the new Election Commission to be formed following recommendations by the search committee will be neutral and acceptable. But we will do our job as per the law and the constitution.”
The new panel will recommend two names for each of the posts of the CEC and other commissioners, who will oversee the next general election slated for late next year.
The outgoing EC and the previous one faced huge criticisms over their roles in the national elections in 2014 and 2018.
Many alleged neither of the polls was credible.
For making the recommendations, the new committee can seek names from political parties and professional bodies. It will make decisions based on the majority.
As per the EC law, the search committee can get 15 working days to recommend names to the president.
If the new EC is to be formed by February 14, when the current EC expires its tenure, the committee has only six working days to complete its task.
Based on the recommendations, the president will appoint the CEC and other commissioners, according to the law.
Soon after the formation of the search committee, the ruling Awami League welcomed the move while its arch rival BNP said it was “very much like the previous ones”.
The previous search committee was formed in 2017 by President Hamid following talks ahead of the 2018 polls.
The one before that was formed in 2012 by the then president Zillur Rahman after talks with 23 registered parties.
The Rakib-led EC drew huge flak for holding the 2014 January 5 “one-sided” election, in which 153 lawmakers were elected unopposed.
The Huda-led commission received criticisms for massive vote rigging and polls irregularities.
Asked about the new committee, Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, a former election commissioner, said, “I hope that something good will happen. I don’t know much about them except Mr Sohul Hussain. I hope they will find the right people so that the current electoral crisis can be overcome.”
Transparency International Bangladesh said the search committee should maintain transparency and impartiality in forming a new EC.
In a statement, it said there was no scope of deviation from the constitutional consciousness behind the formation of a neutral, acceptable and efficient Election Commission and the fulfilment of the expectations of the people.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, said, “We respectfully request the members of the committee to consider the names of people who are well known for their honesty, impartiality, fairness, objectivity and sincerity in their personal and professional lives. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the nominees are not involved in any form of crime such as immorality, corruption and defaulting on loans.”
TIB also hoped the committee would ensure the names recommended are made public.
Hailing the formation of the search committee, AL Joint General Secretary
AFM Bahauddin Nasim said the upcoming EC would be the first under the new law.
“We hope it will strengthen democracy and the electoral system. The next Election Commission will be formed in light of the constitution. It will be more powerful and elections under it will be free, fair and participatory.”
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told The Daily Star, “The issue of search committee is not important for us. We have repeatedly said that free and fair election is not possible without an election-time neutral government.”
WHAT NEW MEMBERS SAY
Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, Justice Obaidul Hassan said it has not yet been decided when the search committee would start functioning.
“The gazette on the search committee was issued around one hour back. The cabinet secretary is yet to communicate with me. I could not talk to my colleagues in the committee. However, I hope we can start working very soon.”
Justice Hassan declined to make any comment on the current EC and its criticisms.
Justice SM Kuddus Zaman, another member of the search committee, said they would work with all their heart in the interest of the nation.
He hoped the next EC would be fair and neutral.
Sohul Hussain said, “This is a very important task for me. I am grateful to the president. If the right people are not picked as the commissioners, the entire electoral system will be at stake.”
PSC Chairman Sohorab Hossain said, “I believe the committee chief will convene the first meeting soon, and there will be discussion on our work models there.”
Asked what they would consider while recommending the names, he said, “I think the committee head will be the right person to speak on it.”
The first meeting of the committee will be held at 4:30 pm at Supreme Court Judges lounge, justice SM Kuddus Zaman told The Daily Star.