Bill on EC formation placed in parliament

The bill titled "Appointment of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners Bill-2022" was placed today (Sunday) in the Jatiya Sangsad as the next commission should be formed under the new law.

Law Minister Anisul Haq placed the bill in the House with Speaker Dr Shirin Shrmin Chaudhury in the chair.

According to Article 118 (1) of the Constitution, the bill will give a legal shield to the appointments of the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners to form the EC.

The proposed legislature is likely to be passed in the ongoing session of parliament and new election commissioners will be appointed in line with the new law.

The tenure of the incumbent KM Nurul Huda led election commission will expire on February 14.

The cabinet approved the draft of appointing CEC and other election commissioners on January 17—the day the ruling Awami League led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held dialogue with President Abdul Hamid at the Bangabhaban on formation of the next EC.

Placing the bill, the law minister said the bill has been proposed to form a six-member search committee for recommending the names of qualified persons who will be eligible for appointing the CEC and ECs under the commission.

The search committee includes a supreme court appellate division justice, and a high court division justice both are nominated by the chief justice, Comptroller and auditor general, Bangladesh Public Service Commission Chairman and other two noted persons nominated by the President.

The search committee will seek recommendations to different political and professional bodies to provide their nominations, according the proposed bill.

After placing of the proposed law, the law minister proposed to send the bill to the parliamentary standing committee on the respective ministry for scrutiny and submit it before the House within next seven days.

Source: BSS

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