Jumbangla Desk: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said, we are committed to a free, fair and electoral process.

AMM Nasir Uddin

The new CEC spoke to reporters today at the Supreme Court premises after taking the oath of office of the newly formed Election Commission. In response to the questions of the journalists, he said, I have taken the oath. I want to honor the oath. I will keep the oath. I see this responsibility as a great opportunity in life. It is a great opportunity to do something for the nation. The new CEC said that the people of the country are deprived of voting rights. The people of the country have agitated, struggled and given blood for the establishment of voting rights and acceptable elections. We are committed to conducting free, fair and acceptable elections. We have a skilled team, we are confident.

CEC said, an acceptable election program is not our concern alone. The cooperation of all concerned will be required. We are determined to hold an acceptable election. He said that some reforms will be required in the existing system if elections are to be held. The government has made electoral system reform commission and they are working. They have been asked to submit their recommendations by December. The recommendations of the Reforms Commission will be adopted as necessary.

He said that the political parties of the country have been making demands for voting rights. We will get with them. He said, the new generation is ready to vote. They should be included in the electoral roll.

In response to a question, he said, I have faced many challenges in my working life. I will face any challenge with all concerned in the Election Commission.

Earlier, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and four Election Commissioners of the newly formed Election Commission took oath today. Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed recited their oath today. The oath ceremony was conducted by the Registrar General of the Supreme Court. Aziz Ahmad Bhuya.

Judges of the Appellate Division, members of the search committee related to the formation of the Election Commission, officials of various levels of the Election Commission, and officials of the Supreme Court Registry were present at the swearing-in ceremony.

The swearing in of the newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other election commissioners was held at the judges lounge of the Supreme Court at 1.30 pm.

A new Election Commission (EC) has been formed on November 21, comprising the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and four Election Commissioners. Retired Secretary AMM Nasir Uddin was appointed as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

The newly appointed election commissioners are the former additional secretary. Anwarul Islam Sarkar, Retired District and Sessions Judge Abdur Rahman Masood, Retired Joint-Secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmad and Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah

Cabinet department issued notification regarding this recruitment. President Mohammad Sahabuddin appointed one chief election commissioner and four as commissioners from the list proposed by the search committee.

The new EC was formed based on the recommendations of the six-member search committee formed for the purpose of forming the Election Commission (EC). On October 29, under the leadership of Justice Zubair Rahman Chowdhury of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, this search committee was formed according to Section-3 of the 'The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Appointment Act, 2022'. The other members of the committee were Justice AKM Asaduzzaman of the High Court, Auditor General and Controller of Bangladesh, Chairman of Bangladesh Public Works Commission, former professor of International Relations Department of Dhaka University. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar and the former chairman of Bangladesh Public Works Commission Professor Dr. Jinnatun Necha Tahmida Begum.

BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and various parties and professional organizations as well as individuals interested in this search committee proposed names.

The search committee recommended 10 names to the President last Wednesday, November 20, from the proposals of various parties and organizations. A total of 17 party-alliance names including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami were proposed by the search committee for the formation of the new EC.

Awami League's rule of almost 16 years came to an end in the popular uprising of the students on August 5. Former prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina fled to India after resigning in the face of the popular uprising. A month later, the Election Commission led by Kazi Habibul Awal resigned on September 5. After being vacant for one and a half months, a new election commission has been formed.

The new CEC is Nasir Uddin's house in Kutubdia, Cox's Bazar. He was born on 1 July 1953. He started his career as a teacher in 1977 after completing his Masters in Economics from Chittagong University. Two years later in 1979 he passed BCS and joined the government service.

Filling the constitutional vacuum after 79 days, the new EC took over

He was the secretary of the Ministry of Information during his career. He then became a member of the Planning Department. He was the secretary of the Ministry of Electricity and Fuel and Health.