Stakeholders urge reform to EC appointment law for fair elections

Electoral stakeholders including political leaders, a government adviser, civil society leaders, student leaders, and experts opined that the current on the appointment of election commissioners cannot ensure the formation of a credible Election Commission (EC) in Bangladesh.

They said the country needs a comprehensive law not only to appoint next EC, but also to institutionalize their appointments for holding genuine democratic elections during a policy dialogue held by Democracy International on Saturday, discussing the appointment process of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners in Bangladesh.

Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser to the Interim Government, highlighted the importance of how the EC is appointed, noting that Bangladesh's EC is one of the most powerful in South Asia. However, he stressed that a neutral government is necessary during elections for the EC to function properly. He proposed a three-step search process to select new election commissioners.

Badiul Alam Majumdar, head of the Election Commission Reform Committee, criticized the current EC appointment law, calling it flawed. He noted that the 2022 law allows for biased appointments. He recommended forming the EC with political consensus and transparency.

Dr Md. Abdul Alim, Democracy International Principal Director, presented a policy brief stating that a credible elections start with the proper appointment of election commissioners. He shared five recommendations for the appointment process.

Representatives from 10 political parties, along with members of civil society, and other electoral stakeholders also joined the discussion.

Jatiyo Nagorik Committee representatives argued that a fair election is impossible without balance between the administrative and judicial departments.

Nurul Haque Nur, President of Gono Odhikar Parishad, suggested a seven-member search committee, representing different professions, and called for changes in the Parliament structure and the voting system.

BNP leaders Selima Rahman and Rumeen Farhana emphasized the need for honest and capable individuals in the EC. They called for a transparent selection process with political party input in appointing search committee members.

Jatiyo Party’s Shamim Haider Patwary urged for repealing the current law, while National Democratic Movement’s Bobby Hajjaz focused on improving the next election.

Jamaat-e-Islami's Matiur Rahman Akand proposed including journalists, civil society, and students in the search committee.

The event was moderated by Distinguished Center for Policy Dialogue Fellow, political scientist Dr Rounaq Jahan, while Dana L., Chief of Party of Democracy International, gave the opening speech.