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Roundup: Bangladesh forms search committee to reconstitute Election Commission ahead of parliament polls

Xinhua, January 25, 2017 Adjust font size:

Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid has formed a six-member search committee for reconstitution of the Election Commission ahead of the country's next general elections slated for early 2019.

Joynal Abedin, press secretary to the president, told journalists Wednesday that a presidential letter, enlisting the names of the members, has been sent to the cabinet division for next course of action in this regards.

The search committee will pick the Election Commission members, he said.

The official did not mention any names the president recommended for inclusion in the search committee.

Sources said the search committee includes two government officials, two university professors and two judges -- one from the Appellate Division and one from the High Court Division of the Supreme Court.

As always, according to the sources, a Supreme Court justice will head the search committee.

President Hamid ordered for the search committee after he had held month-long talks with political parties on the formation of a new Election Commission.

Hamid's dialogue initiative followed ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's demands for formation of the Electioin Commission through consultation with all parties.

The marathon talks began with Zia's largest opposition party BNP on Dec. 18. President Hamid wrapped up the formal talks with political parties over the reconstitution of the commission on Jan. 18.

Though initially Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) party rejected Zia's demand, the party later said it is ready to accept the decision taken by President Hamid over formation of the Election Commission.

AL President Hasina, also the prime minister, led a 19-member delegation to hold talks with the president on Jan. 12.

Speaking at a press briefing on Nov. 18, Zia stressed the need for a high-powered and neutral commission to conduct the 11th national elections slated for early 2019 free and fair.

Opposition BNP came with its proposals as the term of the current Election Commission is to expire in February next year.

BNP, which alternated power with its arch rival the AL party since 1991, boycotted the election on Jan. 5, 2014 as its demand for polls under a non-party caretaker administration remained unfulfilled.

BNP has still been demanding national polls under a non-party caretaker government. Endit