Law Minister Anisul Huq said yesterday that the search committee which appoints the Election Commission is akin to a law, and it will form the next EC as there is not enough time to formulate a law in this regard.

According to the country’s constitution, the appointment of the chief election commissioner and not more than four election commissioners “shall, subject to the provisions of any law made in that behalf, be made by the president”.

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Addressing a “Meet the Reporters” programme at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, the minister said enacting a law within February 15 (when the tenure of the current EC will expire) would not be possible and the law would be made later.

In 2012, when the search committee was formed, the president took opinions of all political parties and everyone agreed to it and later the committee came into being through the issuance of a gazette, he said.

Although the search committee is not a law, it is close to one, said the minister.

On September 25, 53 eminent citizens of the country called for an immediate reconstitution of the EC by enacting a law as per the constitution.

Although the constitution mandates that appointments to the Election Commission be made according to provisions of a specific law, no government has taken such an initiative in the last 50 years, the statement said.

“We urge the government to take urgent steps in this regard to enable the Election Commission to take the necessary lawful steps for conducting elections independently and without any external influence,” the statement added.

Anisul said there is no scope to create controversy about forming a caretaker government during elections as there has been a Supreme Court verdict declaring it illegal.

Asked about BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s permanent release, he said the matter is not under the jurisdiction of the government; the case against her is under trial.

The law minister also said the government has decided to form a probe commission to identify the masterminds behind the murder of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members on August 15, 1975.

About the Digital Security Act, the minister said the DSA was formulated to combat cybercrimes and that it is not the objective of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government to curb freedom of speech and press freedom.

The programme was organised by the Dhaka Reporters Unity and its President Mursalin Nomani and Secretary Moshiur Rahman Khan also spoke during the event.



It’s akin to law
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