Election Commission appointment law raised in Parliament

Law Minister Anisul Haque has raised the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner Appointment Bill, 2022 in the National Assembly. He raised the bill on Sunday (January 23) morning. The bill has been brought for the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner in accordance with Article 118 (1) of the Constitution.

The bill states that the search committee may invite names from political parties and professional organizations to search for candidates for the posts of CEC and election commissioner.

It further said that the President would form a six-member inquiry committee. It will be presided over by a judge of the Appellate Division nominated by the Chief Justice.

According to the findings, the bill will be given very little time for the report of the parliamentary committee and the bill will be passed as soon as possible. Once it is passed, the appointment will be made in the light of the new Election Commission.

Although the Election Commission was supposed to be formed by enacting a law according to the constitution, no law was enacted in this regard in the 50 years of independence. The president is appointing the EC as part of his constitutional powers. However, during the appointment of the last two commissions, the President took the views of the political parties and formed the EC by forming a search committee. The proposed law also provides for the formation of a search committee.