EC formation panel seeks names from parties, BNP says no to the call

The newly formed search panel – responsible for constituting the next Election Commission (EC) – has sought recommendations from political parties before submitting its shortlist of candidates to President Abdul Hamid. 

The Cabinet Division issued a circular in this regard on Sunday night.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has, however, has alleged that all members of the search committee are affiliated with the ruling Awami League and, therefore, his party will not suggest any names.

"The search committee is working to set up another Huda commission to keep the Awami League in power. So, BNP has no expectation from the search committee," he said while speaking to journalists after visiting a party member admitted to the BRB Hospital in the capital's Panthapath area on Monday.

The Cabinet Division circular says each registered political party can propose a maximum of 10 names for the posts of the chief election commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners.

Those who are interested in the job of an EC can recommend their own names as well, the circular reads adding that the names must be submitted either to the Cabinet Division or gfp_sec@cabinet.gov.bd by 5pm on Thursday.

The search committee will also hold talks with civil society members, election experts, media personalities, and the general people before finalising the names to be sent to the president.

But the search committee will not sit in any meeting with the political parties. 

"The parties will be able to send their proposed names via email," said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam while briefing journalists on the outcome of the committee's maiden meeting at the Judges' Lounge of the Supreme Court (SC) earlier in the day.

Apart from the registered political parties, if anyone wants to send names on their own, they can do so, said the cabinet secretary.

The Cabinet Division is providing secretarial assistance to the committee formed on Saturday with Justice Obaidul Hasan as its head.

Khandker Anwarul Islam further said that the search committee will have 15 working days, till 24 February, and hoped that the names will be recommended for the formation of the next Election Commission. 

The term of the current Election Commission will expire on 14 February. 

When journalists drew his attention to the issue, Anwarul Islam said if there was an obligation to form an election commission before 14 February, then the names would be sent before that. 

He said the search committee would meet again at the Judges' Lounge of the Supreme Court at 4.30pm on Tuesday and the matter would be discussed if necessary.

Three meetings – two on Saturday and one on Sunday – would be held with civil society representatives, media personalities and experts.

The committee will also receive consultations from them and if they have any suggestions, those will be considered, he said.

With everyone's opinion, the committee will take a decision based on the qualifications and disqualifications set in the Election Commission formation law and select the names of 10 people, he added.

Asked about what was discussed in the first meeting, the cabinet secretary said the committee had just set its next course of action on what basis the activities will be conducted in the days to come.

The other members of the six-member search committee are Justice SM Quddus Zaman (chief justice nominated), Auditor General and Controller of Bangladesh Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury (ex officio member), Bangladesh Public Service Commission

Chairman Md Sohrab Hossain (ex officio member), and former election commissioner Muhammad Sohul Hossain and author Anwara Syed Haque (president-nominated).

No difference between current govt and Myanmar's military junta: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Fakhrul said there is no difference between the current government and the military junta in Myanmar.

"This government is in power by force and gun, just as the military junta in Myanmar is," he explained. 

Human rights violations in Bangladesh are now known all over the world now, he mentioned, adding, "This happens when a government tries to cling onto power by force." 

7th phase of UP polls sees good voter turnout: EC secretary 

Voters turned up at polling centres in good numbers during the seventh phase of the union parishad elections on Monday, said Ashok Kumar Debnath, additional Secretary to the Election Commission while briefing the media after the end of the voting.

Voting took place in 136 union parishads and electronic voting machines were used in seven of them. Some 65% of voters cast their votes, while casting through EVMs was 61.53%, he also said.

The people are now going to voting centres, which is very good. Elections were held in a peaceful atmosphere, he continued.

Responding to a question from reporters, Ashok Kumar said two people died in the poll violence. They were killed in a clash between local groups outside the polling centre. The local administration will take action against those involved in the incident.

The EC does not want any loss of life. But even then, some unexpected things happen. In this case, the commission has not failed because violent incidents take place locally. 

"We deploy additional personnel from law enforcement agencies as per the demand of the local administration," he added.