Gazette issued forming EC search committee

The government has issued a gazette notification forming a six-member search committee to select qualified individuals for the new Election Commission.

The Cabinet Division issued the notification on Thursday.

According to the law, the committee must submit its recommendations to the President within 15 working days.

Earlier on Tuesday, the government appointed a six-member search committee led by Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, a judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. Other members include Justice AKM Asaduzzaman, a judge of the High Court Division; Nurul Islam, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG); Mobasser Momen, chairman of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission; Professor Zeenatun Nesa Tahmida Begum, former Dhaka University professor and former PSC chairman; and Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, former professor of the International Relations Department at DU.

The committee will recommend candidates to the President for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and four Election Commissioners to form the Election Commission. 

Under the law, the committee will recommend two names for each vacant position to the President, who will then appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners from these recommendations.

The Cabinet Division will provide necessary secretarial support to the search committee.

Following a mass uprising, Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5. On August 6, President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved parliament to facilitate the formation of an interim government. Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as Chief Adviser of the interim government on August 8.