According to article 118 (1) of the constitution, he said, the president will appoint the chief election commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners as per the rules and law regarding the EC formation.
The TIB executive director suggested making a law about the EC appointment involving experts and stakeholders and then constituting a search committee as per the law.
If such a search committee appoints the CEC and other commissioners, he said, it will be possible to avoid various controversies, including the lack of transparency and political influence, in formulating the EC.
Iftekhar said the jurisdiction of the search committee, qualifications and indelibility of its members, the conditions for appointing the ECE and other commissioners, their status, salary and allowances and other relevant elements can be included in the proposed law.
“TIB calls upon for making the law on EC appointment before the formation of new Commission in February 2017 through talks involving all the stakeholders,” he said.
The TIB executive director said if such a law is formulated it will help ensure a credible election process and enhance the possibility for holding a free, transparent and inclusive election.
Besides, he said, it will increase the acceptability of the EC both at home and abroad.
The tenure of the current Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad-led Election Commission will expire in February next.
Source: Prothom Alo
