TDS Desk

The interim government has formed the new Election Commission (EC), which will hold the next parliamentary polls, with retired secretary AMM Nasir Uddin as the new chief election commissioner (CEC) for the next five years.

Along with Nasir, four more election commissioners have also been appointed, according to two separate gazette notifications issued by the Cabinet Division on November 21.

The four are Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, a retired additional secretary; Abdur Rahmanel Masud, a retired District and Sessions judge; Begum Tahmida Ahmed, a retired joint secretary; and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed all five in line with Section 118 (1) of the constitution. The orders came into effect immediately, according to the notifications signed by Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid.

On 31 October, the government formed a Search Committee to recommend the commissioners to form the EC.

Former CEC Kazi Habibul Awal and four other election commissioners resigned on 5 September, a month after a mass uprising led by students ousted the Awami League government.

After the interim government took charge, BNP and many other political parties have been calling for necessary measures to form the Election Commission and carry out other reforms as soon as possible to hold the next national election.

Nasir Uddin was one of the two names proposed by BNP for the post of CEC, according to reports.