Some civil society members and eminent citizens yesterday appreciated the appointment of the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners, terming it "democratic and transparent."
They hoped that the new Election Commission (EC) would act impartially to hold free and fair parliamentary elections.
Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad was made chief election commissioner while Mohammad Abu Hafiz, Mohammad Abdul Mobarrak, Mohammad Zabed Ali and Mohammad Shahnewaz were appointed election commissioners yesterday.
Former adviser to a caretaker government Dr Akbar Ali Khan said he (the CEC) is a very competent person and free from political influence. He will be able to work independently and completely, he said.
He said there is a tough challenge for the newly constituted EC as the main opposition BNP did not accept it. “They will have to work in such a way that those who are opposing them now one day will accept them. They will have to win the hearts of the people by carrying out duties and responsibilities with complete neutrality. Otherwise, it will be tough for them to be acceptable.”
Asked, Former adviser to a caretaker government Advocate Sultana Kamal, hailed the government for appointing the CEC and other EC members through a proper procedure.
She, however, said it would have been better if the government had appointed a civil society member at the commission.
About the BNP's rejection of the new EC, Sultana Kamal said, "They have no rational ground to oppose it."
"I wish the new commission holds a free and fair parliamentary election," she said.
Sector Commanders' Forum Secretary General Lt Gen (retd) Harun-ur-Rashid said the new commission had been formed through a transparent and democratic way.
"I hope the new commission will take bolder steps than the previous commission to hold free and fair elections," he said.
He also urged all political parties and the government to extend cooperation to the new EC, avoiding the culture of "accepting" or "rejecting".
Those, who will not cooperate, will be considered as the barrier to establishing a strong election commission, he said.
Congratulating the new EC, Sushashoner Janno Nagorik (Sujan) Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said the new election commission would have to prove their capability, skills and honesty through their activities.
It would have been better if the government had sought opinion and recommendations of civil society members before issuing the gazette notification, he said.
Pro-BNP academic Prof Moniruzaman Miah, however, said the government activities in the last three years had proved that it appointed the party men in different vital posts.
"I think the appointment has been done under political consideration," said Moniruzzaman Miah, who is a former vice chancellor of Dhaka University.