The government has published the gazette on the new law for the Election Commission’s formation on Sunday after President Md Abdul Hamid signed the bill into a law the previous day.
The “Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Appointment Act 2022 comes with the provision of forming a search committee to find suitable candidates for the body.
On Thursday, lawmakers passed the bill in parliament paving the way for a legal framework for pointing the chief election commissioner (CEC) and other election commissioners.
The incumbent commission, led by CEC KM Nurul Huda, will run its term on February 14.
The president had opened talks with the political parties in late December to discuss the formation of the next commission.
Most of the political parties have spoken in favour of introducing a new during their talks at the Bangabhaban.
The talks ended through his dialogue with the Awami League on January 17. Earlier the same day, the cabinet gave its greenlight to the draft of the proposed law, which included provision regarding a search panel for appointments of commissioners.
The new law stipulates the assembling of the six-member search committee within 15 working days, departing from the 10 days mentioned in the draft of the bill.
It also mandates the inclusion of a woman among two eminent citizens in the president-nominated search committee.
An Appellate Division judge, nominated by the chief justice, will head the committee. The chief justice will also nominate a High Court judge as a member.
The other members will be the comptroller and auditor general and the chairman of the Public Service Commission.
Three members will be enough to make a quorum. The Cabinet Division will provide the committee with secretarial assistance.
