The government has formed a six-member search committee, headed by Appellate Division Judge Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, to select eligible candidates for a new Election Commission (EC).

The committee will recommend two candidates for each post, including the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners.

According to government sources, the committee will include Justice AKM Asaduzzaman of the High Court Division, appointed by the Chief Justice, and two distinguished citizens appointed by the President.

These people are former PSC Chairman Prof. Zinnatunnesa Tahmida Begum and retired Dhaka University professor CR Abrar. Additionally, under the law, Bangladesh Comptroller and Auditor General Md Nurul Islam and Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Mobassher Monem will be ex-officio members.

Speaking on the issue at the secretariat earlier in the day, Legal Advisor Asif Nazrul said the process for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections has begun. He mentioned that a search committee is being formed to constitute the Election Commission. An official notification will be issued soon after being signed by the Chief Advisor Prof. Muhammad Yunus.

The legal advisor noted that there were many questions regarding the electoral roll, calling the previous elections fraudulent. This time, the electoral list will be updated to ensure transparency.

The Awami League government was toppled on August 5 following a student-led uprising, and the next day President Mohammed Sahabuddin dissolved the 12th Parliament. On August 8, an interim government led by Yunus was established.

On September 5, the Election Commission, headed by Kazi Habibul Awal, resigned before the end of his term. This commission was sworn in on February 27, 2022.

The law appointing the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners specifies that a six-member search committee will be formed by the president to establish the election commission.

This committee shall include a judge of the Appellate Division appointed by the Chief Justice (who will act as chairman of the committee), a judge of the High Court Division appointed by the Chief Justice, the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC). , and two distinguished citizens appointed by the President, one of whom must be a woman.

By law, the search committee must provide its recommendations to the president within 15 business days.