Some of the eminent citizens who took part in view-exchange meetings with the search committee have expressed disappointment over the newly formed Election Commission (EC). The termed their meetings with the search committee an eyewash. These experts allege the reconstituted EC does not reflect any of their suggestions and recommendations. “We suggested the search committee to form the new EC with efficient people with clean images. But our  recommendations are not reflected in the choice of the chief election commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners,” said SUJAN general secretary Badiul Alam Majumder.
He said the new EC was formed hurriedly. There was no transparency in the process. The sudden disclosure of the names of five EC members, including the CEC, to the media have raised questions over the reconstitutaion process, he added.
When contacted, former Dhaka University vice-chancellor Prof. SMA Fayez said: “I know nothing about the background of most of the commissioners of the new EC. So, it won't be wise say anything against them.”
“I hope the newly appointed CEC and other commissioners will work neutrally in line with the Constitution and fulfil the expectations of the people,” he added.
Eminent educationist Prof. Serajul Islam Chowdhury said: “Most of the newly appointed election commissioners look unfamiliar. So, it's difficult to say anyhing about them."
“I don’t think that the search committee has accepted our suggestions and recommendations to form the next EC with people who are acceptable to all,” he added. Former election commissioner Brig. Gen. (retd) Sakhawat Hussain said there are no familiar faces, except two, in the EC panel. “But I hope that the newly appointed commissioners will work neutrally to hold a free, fair and credible general election in 2019,” he said.
Former Dhaka University vice-chancellor Prof. AK Azad Chowdhury said the newly appointed EC panel would work efficiently and neutrally as the newly selected members belong to pro-Liberation forces. “The new EC panel will be able to hold a free, fair and credible election in 2019 if the political parties cooperate with the EC,” he added.
 Prof. Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq said: “It’s not the right time to say anything about the reconstituted EC. When the election commissioners will start their work, it’ll be clear whether they are neutral or not.”
 Earlier, on Monday night, President Abdul Hamid appointed former secretary KM Nurul Huda as chief election commissioner. The president also appointed four election commissioners. One woman was selected among the election commissioners for the first time.
The election commissioners are: Mahbub Talukder, former additional secretary, Md Rafiqul Islam, ex-secretary, Begum Kabita Khanam, former district and sessions judge, and Brig. Gen. (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury.
 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 by the middle of this month.