Cabinet Approves Draft Law on EC Formation

The Cabinet has given policy and final approval to the draft of the 'Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner Appointment Act, 2022' for the formation of the Election Commission (EC).

The approval was given at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Monday (January 17). The Prime Minister was virtually involved in the meeting.

This was stated by Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam at a press briefing at the Secretariat after the meeting.

He said that according to the draft law, an inquiry committee would be formed. The Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioner will be appointed through the inquiry committee. The six-member inquiry committee will be headed by a judge of the Appellate Division nominated by the Chief Justice. In addition, there will be a judge of the High Court, the Auditor General, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission and two eminent persons nominated by the President.

The cabinet secretary said the cabinet department would provide secretarial assistance to the committee. The committee will propose the names of eligible persons. From there the president will appoint.

He said some conditions have been given in the proposed law for the appointment of these posts. Those people must be at least 50 years old. In addition, those persons should have at least 20 years of working experience in government, semi-government, private or judicial positions.

Asked whether the forthcoming parliamentary elections would be held under this law, the secretary said, "Hopefully, it will not take long for this law to be finalized."

President Mohammad Abdul Hamid has been holding dialogue with the registered political parties since December 20 on the reorganization of the Election Commission.