Staff Reporter:
National Consensus Commission (NCC) Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz yesterday said that a consen-sus has been reached regarding the procedure for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners (ECs) during the commission’s dialogue with political parties.
A revised proposal has been placed by amending Article 118(1) of the existing Constitution, he said while briefing the reporters after the end of 18th day’s dialogue at the Foreign Service Academy here, according to a press release issued by the commission.
In the revised proposal, Ali Riaz said, it is stated that a full-fledged Election Commission will comprise CEC and a legally prescribed number of ECs.
He said a five-member selection committee, headed by the Speaker, will initiate the process of appoint-ing the CEC and other ECs for a five-year term, 90 days prior to the expiry of the outgoing commis-sion’s tenure.
He added, this will be done in accordance with procedures outlined in law, including inviting “expres-sions of interest” and relevant information from potential candidates, as well as independently seeking suitable individuals.
The Commission Vice-Chairman said that the selection committee will include, in addition to the Speak-er, the Deputy Speaker from the opposition, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and a Justice of the Appellate Division nominated by the Chief Justice.
The committee will transparently review the résumés of shortlisted candidates and, by consensus, rec-ommend one individual as Chief Election Commissioner and one individual for each of the other com-missioner positions to the President.
The President will then appoint them for a five-year term, effective from the date they assume office.
Under the Speaker’s supervision, the National Parliament Secretariat will provide administrative support to the selection committee.
Professor Riaz also mentioned that in case of a vacancy due to the end of term or any other reason, the newly appointed commissioners will assume responsibility the following day.
Furthermore, a new law and code of conduct will be enacted by Parliament to ensure accountability of the Election Commission. However, sub-articles 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the existing Article will remain un-changed, he added.
Commission members Justice Md. Emdadul Haque, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Safar Raj Hossain and Dr. Md. Aiyub Miah, and Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haidar were present.
Representatives from 30 political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gonosanghoti Andolon, Com-munist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Biplobi Workers’ Party, and Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party
