Eminent personalities want non-partisan Election Commission

They said that the new EC members should be non-partisan, competent and experienced, and aged below 70. The suggestions came from former chief election commissioner Abu Hena, barrister Rokon Uddin Mahmud, the Dainik Samakal Editor Golam Sarwar, and The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam. They met with the search committee members at the Supreme Court Judges' Lounge in Dhaka on Wednesday. The search committee would sit again at 4pm on Thursday, Cabinet Ddivision Additional Secretary Abdul Wadud told the Dhaka Tribune. A day ago, the search panel shortlisted 20 people out of about 125 names suggested by 27 political parties, including the ruling Awami League and the BNP. Four parties – Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, Gono Forum and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish – refrained from recommending anyone. President Md Abdul Hamid formed the panel on January 25 after discussions with 31 registered political parties. The committee was instructed to suggest two names against each post and outline recommendations within ten working days. It was also suggested to pick a female election commissioner, the first in the country’s history, according to the president’s instruction on the EC reformation.