Recommending names for EC: Political parties have time till Feb 24

Political parties that have yet to make their recommendations for forming the new election commission can still send the names of their nominees to the search committee by February 24.

The committee is likely to send a list of 10 names to President Abdul Hamid on February 24. The president will choose the new chief election commissioner and four election commissioners from the list.

The committee held meetings with senior journalists yesterday at the Supreme Court Judges Lounge and heard their opinions regarding the formation of the next EC.

The journalists suggested that the names on the final list be made public if the individuals named on the list agree.

They also suggested that competent, courageous and honest individuals, including women and those from the minority communities be in the Election Commission.

"I said publishing the 322 names was not a right decision as many [of the individuals] were unaware," Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, former president of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), told reporters after the meeting.

The time for political parties to send their recommendations has been extended and the search committee will consider if any political parties propose names, he said.

Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Naeem Nizam said before disclosing the final nominations, consent of the nominees must be taken.

Shykh Seraj, head of news at Channel i, and Inam Ahmed, editor of The Business Standard, were present at the meeting.

The committee earlier held talks in three phases with civil society members, election experts, media personalities and eminent citizens to hear their views on the formation of the EC.

The six-member search committee was formed on February 5. It asked 39 registered political parties the following day to submit their nominations for the EC posts. Out of the 39 parties, 24 responded.

The Cabinet Division on Monday published the 322 names proposed by political parties, professional bodies and individuals.

Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam yesterday said, "The committee will start holding formal meetings tomorrow and then will decide how to shorten the list."

The committee has 15 work days to finalise the names.