Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq on Wednesday said there is no scope for enacting a new law or Presidential ordinance for the reconstitution of the Election Commission due to shortage of time.
The minister also said, “Since there is no scope for enacting a new law or Presidential ordinance for the reconstitution of the Election Commission due to time limitation, the new EC would be formed as per the President’s decision.”
The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the annual general meeting (AGM) of Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) in the capital.
CRAB President Mizan Malik presided over the programme. The AGM was conducted by its General Secretary Alauddin Arif. The programme was also addressed, among others, by Daily Jugantor Editor and former President of National Press Club Saiful Alam, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun and Dhaka Reporters Unity President Nazrul Islam Mithu.
The Law Minister said President Abdul Hamid has been initiating dialogues with the political parties recently to form a search committee to ultimately form the EC and the next EC would be formed as per his decision.
“There is no scope for dispute regarding the formation of the EC. It would be formed as per the decision of the President as it is his responsibility. Even I want an Act regarding the formation of the EC. But now, there is no time left for this. It would not be right to issue an ordinance in this regard bypassing the Parliament,” the law minister said.
Anisul Huq said the search committee would be formed with a senior justice of the Appellate Division, a justice from the High Court Division, chairman of the Public Service Commission and auditor and comptroller general. All of them are holding Constitutional posts. The remaining two would be from the civil society, he added.
“There would be no political person on the search committee. This search committee would nominate 10 persons and send the names to the president,” Anisul Huq further said.
While talking about the Digital Security Act (DSA), he said Bangladesh needs this law.
“I know there were instances of misuse of this Act. But we have taken initiatives to stop such misuse. No journalists will be arrested immediately after filing of a case under this Act. First, authorities concerned will scrutinise everything. This act has not been enacted to curb freedom of speech and the press freedom,” he added.