New EC holds maiden meeting to explore ways of conducting ‘fair elections’

The newly formed Election Commission (EC), under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, has convened its first meeting to explore ways to deliver on its promise of conducting "fair elections".

The meeting, helmed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, began at 11am on Monday at the EC Secretariat in Dhaka’s Agargaon.

Among the key issues on the agenda is the formation of four separate committees, each led by one of the four election commissioners, to oversee various commission activities.

Other issues include updating the voter list and addressing objections related to the demarcation of parliamentary constituencies.

Nasir Uddin has taken charge of the electoral watchdog at a time when the interim government is aiming to implement state reforms and transition towards a democratic election.

A search committee was formed on Oct 31 under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Appointment Act, 2022, to recommend names for the new EC. Within 15 days, the committee submitted a list of 10 names to the president, based on qualifications, disqualifications, experience, competence, and reputation.

From the list, President Md Shahabuddin picked former secretary Nasir Uddin as CEC on Nov 21. The other new members of the electoral watchdog are Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, a retired additional secretary, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, a district and sessions judge, Tahmida Ahmad, a retired joint secretary, and Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, a retired brigadier general.

On Nov 24, the new EC was sworn in by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed at the Supreme Court Judges' Lounge.