Bill on appointing CEC, ECs placed in parliament
The much talked about "Appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Bill-2022" was placed in parliament today in order to have a law in this regard as per the Constitution.
Law Minister Anisul Huq placed the draft law which was sent to the parliamentary standing committee on the respective ministry for scrutiny. The committee will submit it before the House within seven days.
BNP MP Harunur Rashid strongly opposed the bill saying that the proposed law is nothing but a "search committee bill" and didn't reflect the views of civil society and political parties.
Harun also said there is nothing new in the proposed bill. "Many questions have been raised centring the bill and the proposed law will not be able to resolve the present crisis," Harun said.
The law minister rejected Harun's concerns, saying the proposed law was enacted in line with the Constitution. While giving reply, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was seen giving instruction repeatedly to the law minister -- helping him in giving a befitting reply.
The law minister in his reply, rejected Harun's allegations that all irregularities and misdeeds of the past chief election commissioners and election commissioners were given indemnity.
"They are making such allegations without going through the proposed law. They want to create a political issue centring formation of the Election Commission," said the minister.
The law minister said transparency and neutrality of the search committee have been ensured in the proposed law.
He claimed the proposed law is much better than relevant laws in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, Nepal, Bhutan and other countries.
The Cabinet on January 17 at a meeting held at the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair gave the approval of the bill.
As per the proposed law, a search committee will be formed taking approval from the President over the constitution of the Election Commission.
The search committee will recommend the names of suitable candidates before the President to appoint the CEC and other election commissioners.
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