DHAKA, Feb 8, 2022 (BSS) - The six-member search committee, which

was formed to reconstitute the Election Commission (EC), has decided
to hold meeting with distinguished personalities of the country.

  The search committee at its second meeting held at Supreme Court
Judges lounge here today took some decisions, said cabinet secretary
Khondoker Anwarul Islam to journalists after the meeting.

   The decisions including seeking names of the registered political
parties for the EC from tomorrow and the political parties can sent
their proposal directly to the cabinet division or through email, said
Islam who is designated to provide secretarial assistance to the
committee.

  The names must have to be sent to the cabinet division by Friday
afternoon, he said, adding that the cabinet division office will
remain open till 5pm on Friday.

   At the same time, the search committee will hold meeting with the
noted persons including different professionals on Saturday and
Sunday, said the cabinet secretary.

  The number of such persons may be more or less 60. The cabinet will
issue letters to the noted persons from tomorrow.

  The chairman of the committee Justice Obaidul Hassan presided over
the meeting.

   Committee members Justice S M Kuddus Zaman of High Court Division,
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury,
Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Mohammed Sohrab Hossain,
former Election Commissioner Mohammed Sohul Hossain and Writer
Professor Anwara Syed Haq joined the meeting.

  Earlier, the first meeting of the committee was held on February 6.

  On February 5, a gazette notification was issued after constituting
a search committee who will recommends the names of the eligible
persons for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other
election commissioners (ECs).

  President M Abdul Hamid has formed the search committee as per the law.

  Earlier on 27 January, the bill was passed during the 16th session
of the 11th National Assembly at the Parliament unanimously by voice
vote. Later, it got the approval of President Abdul Hamid.

   Law Minister Anisul Huq placed the bill in parliament on 23 January
seeking to give a legal shield to the current and previous commissions
formed through search committees.

  The term of the current commission is coming to an end on 14
February. According to the new EC formation law, the search committee
has to submit names of 10 eligible persons to the president within 15
working days.