The ‘Search Committee’ at last on Tuesday finalised 10 names eligible for the positions of next Chief Election Commissioner and other members of the Election Commission (EC).
The committee led by Justice Obaidul Hassan of the Appealed Division of the Supreme Court finalised the names at its seventh meeting held at the Supreme Court Judges’ Lounge in the evening.
The six-member search committee earlier was formed in view of recommending and proposing names for the next EC along with eligible personnel of the country.
Sources said the ‘Search Committee’ is expected to submit those 10 names before President Abdul Hamid on 24 February as recommendation. Later, the President would select five of the names for the CEC and other EC members.
Earlier, the committee chief of the Appellate Division Justice, Justice Obaidul Hassan, however, said that the committee will not disclose the names recommended in the final list.
The search panel formed by the president held a total of seven meetings, and had three meetings with eminent citizens. The committee also published more than 300 names of the potential candidates proposed by 24 political parties, six organisations and different individuals.
The proposed candidates included professors, judges, former secretaries and former military officers. However, there is no legal obligation that the search panel will have to finalise the list from there as the committee may also finalise the list at its own discretion.
According to EC law, the search committee will carry out its responsibilities with transparency and impartiality. They will propose to the President the names of two candidates for the post of chief election commissioner and eight candidates for the four posts of election commissioners, taking into account the qualifications, disqualifications, experience, skills and reputation required by law.
Meanwhile, the Search Committee members made a curtsey call with the Chief Justice at his chamber in the evening. During the visit, the Chief Justice handed over various gift items to the Search Committee members.