Civil society wants clean-image people
12 eminent citizens meet search committee today
Rafiqul Islam Azad and Abu Jakir
Ahead of a meeting with the newly constituted search committee for the next Election Commission (EC), civil society members said they would recommend the formation of an acceptable, neutral and credible poll panel comprising efficient people with clean images.
The search committee has invited 12 eminent citizens for a view-exchange meeting at the Supreme Courts (SCS) judges lounge at 4pm today. The invited citizens are former High Court judge Md Abdur Rashid, former vice-chancellors of Dhaka University Prof. AK Azad Chowdhury and Prof. SMA Fayez, educationist Serajul Islam Choudhury, rights activist Sultana Kamal, former chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda, former election commissioners Sohul Hussain and Sakhawat Hussain, local government expert Tofail Ahmed, Shushanor Jonno Nagorik (Sujon) secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar, Prof. Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq of Dhaka University and former IGP Nurul Huda.
Talking to The Independent, former election commissioner Sakhawat Hussain said, Definitely, it is a positive move to invite the opinions of experienced people on such an important matter. We hope to have an effective and fruitful discussion with the search committee.
Hussain said it would be good if their opinions and recommendations are reflected in the formation of the new EC. Otherwise, questions will arise in the minds of the people regarding the initiative and the transparency of the new poll panel, he added. Hussain said he would try to provide names for the EC if he was asked to do so. Prof. SMA Fayez said: We dont know whether our suggestions would be considered or not. But I will personally recommend the names of people who are neutral, efficient, have clean images and acceptable to all for the posts of the CEC and other commissioners. This way, no one would be able to raise any question against the next EC.
Prof. AK Azad Chowdhury said he would suggest forming the new EC with people who are honest, dignified and patriotic, and believe in the spirit of the Liberation War.
Local government expert Tofayel Ahmed also hailed the search committees initiative, saying he would try to help the panel to form a credible and acceptable EC.
Badiul Alam Majumder also termed the initiative as positive and democratic. We will recommend the search committee to form the EC in a transparent manner. I think our views and recommendations would be reflected in its decision, he added. Prof. Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq and Serajul Islam Choudhury declined to comment on the matter, saying that they would place their suggestions at the meeting.
On January 25, President Abdul Hamid had named the six-member search committee, headed by Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, after holding a series of talks with 31 political parties to constitute the next EC. The tenure of the incumbent commission expires next month.
In its first meeting at the SCs judges lounge on Saturday, the panel had requested 31 political parties to recommend five names each for the CEC and other commissioners. The parties have to submit their recommendations to the additional secretary of the Cabinet Division by 11am on Tuesday. According to a gazette notification, the search committee will recommend two names each for the CEC and four commissioners. It will present its recommendations to the President with 10 working days. Later, the President will take the Prime Ministers advice to appoint the next CEC and other commissioners.
