EC search body yet to finalise names, next meeting Feb 6

The search committee is yet to finalise the names for reconstituting the five-member Election Commission as the committee members today discussed different aspects of the proposed names.

“No shortlist has yet been made. The search committee is verifying different aspects of the proposed names of the election commissioners,” Abdul Wadud, additional secretary of the cabinet division, told reporters after a meeting of the search body.

The six-member committee, formed by President Abdul Hamid on January 25, headed by Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain held the meeting at the Supreme Court Judges' Lounge in Dhaka this evening on their fifth working days.

However, the committee members will hold its next meeting on February 6 to pick 10 names to put forward to President Hamid by February 8. The president will appoint the chief and four election commissioners among the 10 names.

The committee has already shortlisted 20 names from over 100 names proposed by 27 political parties and held view-exchange meeting with 18 civil society members in two phases on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Responding to a query, he said the opinions given by the civil society members may be placed before the president.

Tenure of the incumbent Election Commission will expire in the middle of the current month.