Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed administered the oath at the Supreme Court Judges’ Lounge, in the presence of top court judges and officials….reports Asian Lite News
Bangladesh’s newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), AMM Nasir Uddin, and four other commissioners were sworn in on Sunday, nearly three months after the resignation of the previous commission.
The earlier commission, led by Kazi Habibul Awal, stepped down following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s regime in a student-led mass movement.
Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed administered the oath at the Supreme Court Judges’ Lounge, in the presence of top court judges and officials.
The appointments came after a search committee, formed by interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus’ government, recommended candidates with backgrounds in civil service, the judiciary, and the military.
The new CEC, a retired government secretary, is joined by commissioners Mohammad Anwarul Islam Sarker, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Begum Tahmida Ahmed, and Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, all retired officials from various fields. President Mohammed Shahabuddin approved their appointments on November 21.
This marks the first time since 1972 that the Election Commission was vacant for an extended period, with the previous commission resigning on September 5 after the Awami League government fell in August.
The interim government, which has formed six commissions to overhaul the country’s governance, pledged reforms in the electoral process. Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and other political groups have been demanding swift elections post-reform.
Interim leader Yunus announced on November 17 that an election roadmap would be released after finalizing reforms.
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