Interim govt necessary for good elections: Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain
Speaking at a dialogue on the recruitment of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners, organised by the Democracy International yesterday (14 September), experts expressed concerns over the commission’s appointment process
A transparent and neutral Election Commission (EC) cannot be formed under the current legal framework, according to advisers to the interim government, political leaders, and prominent citizens.
Speaking at a dialogue on the recruitment of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners, organised by the Democracy International yesterday (14 September), experts expressed concerns over the commission's appointment process.
Speaking at the event, Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the interim government, emphasised that even if a strong Election Commission was formed, a good election required the establishment of an interim government.
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He proposed a three-tier search committee to ensure a proper selection process.
Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, head of the Election Commission reform committee under the interim government, criticised the 2022 law, which included a provision for granting impunity in recruitment, allowing anyone to be appointed.
He claimed that the previous EC had acted as a mere post office and violated the constitution.
His committee would propose forming the EC based on political consensus and transparency.
Dr Abdul Alim, policy director of Democracy International, highlighted that the credibility of any election starts with the appointment process of the Election Commission.
He presented five specific proposals to form an independent commission.
Representatives from various political parties, including BNP, Jatiya Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, AB Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gono Forum, Gonosanghati Andolon, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and National Democratic Movement (NDM), also participated in the dialogue at a hotel in the capital.
BNP's standing committee member Selima Rahman called for a balance between youth and experience in the formation of the next Election Commission, while BNP's Assistant International Affairs Secretary Rumeen Farhana emphasised the importance of consulting political parties after shortlisting candidates through the search committee.
Jatiya Party's presidium member Shamim Haider Patwary stressed the need to revoke the current law and create an EC formation process free from governmental control.
NDM Chairman Bobby Hajjaj urged that immediate steps should be taken to ensure the next election is conducted fairly, instead of focusing on a permanent solution right now.
Jamaat-e-Islami's Motiur Rahman Akand proposed the exclusion of the judiciary from the EC formation process, suggesting instead a search committee comprised of journalists, academicians, political leaders, civil society members, and student representatives.
Gonosanghati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki urged for decisions that reflect the realities of Bangladesh rather than comparisons with other countries.
Professor Ashraf Ali Akand of Islami Andolon Bangladesh called for legal action against previous commission members for their failures in carrying out their duties.
The event was moderated by political scientist Professor Dr Rounaq Jahan, with opening remarks by Democracy International's Chief of Party Dana Olds.
