Staff Reporter:
The new Election Commission (EC) will be formulated with the “honest, fearless, and efficient individ-uals,” Cabinet Secretary Dr. Sheikh Abdur Rashid said on Sunday, following the inaugural meeting of the Search Committee chaired by Appellate Division Judge Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury.
While briefing reporters, Dr. Rashid clarified his role, saying, “I am not a member of the Search Com-mittee, but we will provide administrative assistance as needed.” He further noted that the committee had discussed its approach and will determine the next steps in forming the Election Commission.
When asked about the timeline for the commission’s formation, Dr. Rashid explained that the committee is mandated to submit its recommendations within 15 working days, after which the President will final-ize the appointment of the Election Commission.
The interim government established this six-member Search Committee on October 31 to recommend candidates for the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners. The committee is expected to propose two candidates for each position.
Apart from Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, the committee includes Justice AKM Asaduzzaman of the High Court Division, Comptroller and Auditor General Md. Nurul Islam, Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Mobassher Monem, former Dhaka University International Relations Pro-fessor Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, and former PSC Chair Professor Jinnatun Nessa Tahmida Begum.
A notification regarding the committee’s formation was issued by the Cabinet Division last Thursday, outlining its mandate to ensure that the selection process adheres to legal standards and prioritizes integ-rity and efficiency in its choices for the new Election Commission.
