Dignitaries invited by EC search committee emphasise 'acceptability, reliability'

The distinguished citizens whose opinions have been sought by the Election Commission search committee say that they will advise the committee to pick 'acceptable and reliable' persons for the next EC.

The search committee formed by the president in its first meeting on Saturday invited a dozen of distinguished citizens, seeking their opinion on the next EC picks.

The meeting between the committee and the citizens will be held on Monday.

Two former vice-chancellors and a former election commissioner, who have been invited by the committee, spoke to bdnews24.com on Sunday.

Former Dhaka University VC Professor SMA Faiz said, "No Election Commission could go beyond controversy in the past.

"I hope the next EC will be acceptable to all. Persons who will truly be able to hold free and fair elections will be appointed," he said.

SMA Faiz

Prof Faiz, who had worked as the Public Service Commission (PSC) chairman during a BNP tenure, said they would try to give unreserved opinions.

"I've heard many people's views on the media. We all want one thing - an impartial EC capable of acting strongly. In that case, honest and dignified persons needed to be recommended," he added.

Another former VC of the University Professor AK Azad Chowdhury said they would opine for “picking people with strong moral stance and uncompromising personality.”

"Honest, upright and noble persons will have to be picked for the posts of the CEC and election commissioner. They will have to be able to work constitutionally and beyond controversy and be acceptable to all," he said.   

AK Azad Chowdhury

AK Azad, who had been in charge of the University Grants Commission during an Awami League regime, said they would “emphasise morality for the recommendation.”

Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury declined to comment on the matter before expressing his views to the committee.

Former election commissioner Muhammed Sohul Hussain said they would advise the committee to pick impartial persons who had no political affiliation during their student and professional lives.

According to him, if acceptable and skilful persons are picked for the next EC, they will be able to achieve reliability among all.

Muhammed Sohul Hussain

The other invited persons are Justice Abdur Rashid, rights activist Sultana Kamal, former CEC ATM Shamsul Huda, former election commissioner M Sakhawat Hossain, former Chittagong University teacher Tofayel Ahmed, Sushashoner Jonyo Nagorik Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar, Dhaka University Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque and former inspector general of police Nurul Huda.

On Wednesday, President Md Abdul Hamid formed the panel headed by Appellate Division Judge Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and tasked it to forward recommendations within 10 working days.

Members of the search committee

The other members are High Court judge Justice Obaidul Hassan, Bangladesh Public Service Commission Chairman Dr Muhammed Sadique, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Masud Ahmed, Dhaka University English Department Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, and Chittagong University Pro-VC Shireen Akhter.

Amidst the filing of a writ petition challenging the legality of the search committee and doubt of the BNP over its impartiality, the committee sat for the first time on Saturday.

It has 10 working days to recommend the names for the next EC, which will oversee the next general election.