The newly established Election Commission (EC), a part of Muhammad Yunus’ interim government, held its first meeting to discuss how to carry out its promise to hold “fair elections.”
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin presided over the meeting, which got underway at 11 a.m. Monday at the EC Secretariat in Agargaon, Dhaka.
The creation of four distinct committees, each headed by one of the four election commissioners, to supervise different commission operations is one of the main items on the agenda.
Additional concerns include addressing the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies and updating the voter list.
At a time when the interim government is working to enact state reforms and move toward a democratic election, Nasir Uddin has assumed leadership of the electoral watchdog.
The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Appointment Act, 2022 established a search committee on October 31 to propose candidates for the new EC position. The committee sent the president a list of ten names within 15 days, sorted by reputation, experience, competence, qualifications, and disqualifications.
President Md Shahabuddin selected former secretary Nasir Uddin as CEC from the list on November 21. Abdur Rahmanel Masud, a district and sessions judge; retired joint secretary Tahmida Ahmad; retired brigadier general Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah; and retired additional secretary Md Anwarul Islam Sarker are the other new members of the electoral watchdog.
Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed swore in the new EC on November 24 at the Supreme Court Judges’ Lounge.
After taking the oath, CEC Nasir Uddin addressed the media and urged everyone to support free and fair elections.
