We expect fair elections

Former Secretary Nurul Huda has been appointed as Chief Election Commissioner. Four others also got appointments as Election Commissioners. President Abdul Hamid formed the five-member Election Commission (EC) on Monday night in line with a constitutional provision.

The four election commissioners include one woman for the first time. They are Mahbub Talukder, former additional secretary; Md Rafiqul Islam, ex-secretary; Begum Kabita Khanam, former district and sessions judge; and Brig Gen (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury.

The President formed a search panel, headed by Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, after holding talks with 31 political parties on EC formation. On Monday, the panel finalised 10 names at its last meeting at the Supreme Court Judges’ Lounge. The panel recommended two names each for the posts of CEC and four election commissioners. The President formed the 12th EC from the recommended names of the search committee. Including a woman in the EC has been praised from all quarters.

Many political parties have expressed their satisfaction over the formation of the new EC and they recommended names to the search committee. However, expressing deep frustration and distressed, BNP alleged that a controversial government official had been made the chief election official. It will not be possible for the new commission to perform its duties fairly.

But civil society members are optimistic about the new Election Commission. They have opined that there is no major allegation against them, so they will be able to hold free, fair and acceptable polls.

The main challenge of new Election Commission is to gain confidence of all political parties. Election Commission will have to do this. It will have to do the work to bring confidence of people in election system and activities. The new CEC has already expressed his commitment to work neutrally.  It is challenging, so all political parties and concerned will have to cooperate for holding free and fair polls, he said.

The major challenge of Election Commission is to make the National Election free, fair and creditable. Before the National Election, there is a challenge to arrange two by-polls within short time. Besides, the new commission will have to arrange elections of Comilla City Corporations and some other local bodies. Despite allegation from the opposition, commission will have to work with more sincerely and the political parties will keep their eyes on the upcoming polls.

We expect that keeping them above criticism, Election Commission will perform their duties sincerely.  We hope Election Commission will be successful through performing their duties with sincerity and honesty. We want to see the new Election Commission becomes successful.

risingbd/Dhaka/Feb 9, 2017/Ali Nowsher/Mukul/Augustin Sujan