EC search panel to disclose all proposed names

In an unprecedented move, the Election Commission search committee has decided to disclose all the names proposed for the post of chief election commissioner and other commissioners.

Justice Obaidul Hassan, the search panel chief, revealed the decision during the committee's third meeting with eminent citizens on Sunday.

The eminent citizens attending the three meetings urged the committee to make the proposed names public.

The full list will be published on the Cabinet Division website on Monday after the deadline for submitting names ends at 5pm, said Justice Hassan.

The committee extended the deadline until that time for the political parties, including the BNP, that did not submit names until Sunday, Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam told reporters after the meeting.

Previous search committees, formed in 2012 and 2017, did not disclose the proposed names despite demands from political parties.

On 6 February, the current search committee formed by the president for appointing chief election commissioner and other election commissioners, published a notice seeking names from the political parties and individuals. It also sent letters to the registered political parties for submitting names.

The committee received names of 329 candidates till Saturday. Of them, 136 names came from political parties, 40 from professionals, 34 from individuals and 99 names via email.

Meanwhile, the search committee held two meetings with eminent citizens of the country on Saturday.

The invited citizens asked the search committee to select individuals who are honest, competent, brave and believe in the spirit of the liberation war. They also suggested women, minorities and media representatives in the new EC.

"I personally think it is not possible for the EC alone to hold a fair election as there are other stakeholders including political parties, administration and voters," author and historian Muntassir Mamoon told the media after attending the meeting with the EC search committee.

"Yes, we are making suggestions to the committee but the extent of its authority is limited," he said, adding that he called for an inclusive election commission.

On disclosing the names, Muntassir Mamoon said he voiced his stance against disclosing the names of political parties that proposed the names.

Writer and activist Shahriar Kabir echoed the same and added that they submitted a list of 10 names.

"The process for final selection of election commissioners should not be time-bound as vetting should be done on all 300 or 400 names that have been proposed so far," he added.

Stage and film director Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu said, "We want an election commission that can conduct polls without being under duress."

Former Election Commissioner Brigadier General Sakhawat Hossain said the new EC needs brave people to win the trust of the public.

"Our election process and the EC have been destroyed. It needs people who can pull it back up," he remarked.

"We need brave people who can win the trust of the people and host a credible election," opined the former election commissioner.

When asked whether the names proposed to the president by the search committee should be disclosed to the public, Shakhawat responded saying, "positively".

"Of course, they should be disclosed before the public," he said.

Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) General Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar has recommended arranging public hearings on the proposed candidates.

"Make a primary list of 20, five of whom should be women. Publish the list as a public notice and arrange a public hearing on the proposed candidates," Badiul Alam said in his recommendation to the EC search committee.

He also suggested the committee disclose the method it is going to follow in making their final selection.

He further recommended the panel to make a final list of 10 with at least three women.

"Publish the final list as a public notice three days prior to sending it to the President," he added.

Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam said that many proposed to approach political parties that are yet to submit names.

Based on the suggestion, which also came in two previous meetings with eminent journalists, we will take names on our website till 5pm on Monday, said the cabinet secretary.

Asked on when the list will be finalised, Khandaker Anwarul responded saying the next meeting of the search committee is scheduled on Tuesday.