The search committee tasked with nominating members for reconstituting the Election Commission has requested political parties and professional bodies to submit nominations by 7 November.
Political parties and professional organisations can propose up to five candidates for the positions of Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners by 5:00pm on 7 November, said a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Sunday.
Individuals interested in submitting names may also put forward nominations, it said.
According to the submission guidelines, nominations should include a complete resume
and can be sent directly to the Cabinet Division or via email.
Earlier, the Search Committee, led by Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury of the Appellate Division, held its maiden meeting at the Chief Justice's conference room at 2:50pm.
When asked about the outcome of the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid said that the new Election Commission would be formed comprising honest, fearless, and efficient individuals.
“I am not a member of the Search Committee, but we will provide administrative assistance as needed,” he told reporters following the inaugural meeting of the Search Committee.
He further noted that the committee discussed its approach and would 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 finalise the appointment of the Election Commission.
The Search Committee was formed on October 31 to recommend candidates for the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners.
Apart from Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, the committee includes Justice AKM Asaduzzaman of the High Court Division, Comptroller and Auditor General Nurul Islam, Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Mobassher Monem, former Dhaka University International Relations Professor Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, and former PSC Chair Professor Jinnatun Nessa Tahmida Begum.
The Search Committee will recommend names for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and four election commissioners (ECs) in accordance with Section 3 of the ‘Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Appointment Act, 2022.’
The body will propose 10 names of persons fit for the post of Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners by 15 days.
The body will propose two names against each post for reconstituting the EC.
Of the names, the President will constitute the EC by appointing one as Chief Election Commissioner and four others as election commissioners.
The new EC will conduct the 13th parliamentary elections.
Following a political changeover, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on September 5 announced the resignation of a five-member commission just a month after the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led government.
