EC Formation Draft Law Finalized

The parliamentary committee has finalized the bill or draft law raised in the parliament for the formation of the Election Commission (EC) through search committee.

However, changes have been recommended in two sections. The committee will recommend passing it in the current session.

It was finalized at the 18th meeting of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs held at the Parliament House on Monday (January 24). The meeting was chaired by the committee. Presided over by Shahiduzzaman Sarkar.

The meeting was attended by committee members and law ministers Anisul Haque, Mostafizur Rahman, Mohammad Shamsul Haque Tuku, Mohammad Abdul Majid Khan, Shamim Haider Patwari, Gloria Jharna Sarkar, Rumin Farhana and Selim Altaf George.

Section 5 (c) on the qualifications of CECs and commissioners in the bill raised in Parliament states that in order to become a CEC and a commissioner, he must have at least 20 years of working experience in any important government, judicial, semi-government or private position.

The parliamentary committee has recommended the inclusion of 'autonomous and other professions' in addition to government, judicial, semi-government or private posts in this section.

In case of disqualification, it is stated in section 6 (d) that if convicted of a criminal offense of moral turpitude and sentenced to at least two years imprisonment, he cannot become a CEC or a commissioner.

The committee has recommended only two years imprisonment. Shahiduzzaman Sarkar said that in any case, any term of imprisonment for criminal offense of moral turpitude will be considered as disqualification in becoming CEC or commissioner. He told the media on the telephone after the meeting.

Earlier, the bill was tabled in Parliament on January 23. According to the draft law, the work of the search committee will be carried out following the principles of transparency and impartiality. He will make recommendations to the President for appointment to the posts of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner, taking into account the qualifications, inadequacies, experience, skills and reputation as provided by the law.

The ‘Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner Appointment Act, 2022’ will also give legitimacy to all the Election Commissions formed earlier through the Search Committee.