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Search committee discloses 322 names proposed for EC: Ex-bureaucrats figure high

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The Search Committee on forming the next Election Commission (EC) on Monday published a list of 322 names proposed by different parties, organisations and individuals. 

The list includes dozens of well-known faces, but it did not mention which names were proposed by whom. 

The list, revealed on the website of the Cabinet Division, named 61 former secretaries, 18 retired army officials including two army chiefs, 15 justices including two chief justices. Besides, it names police officials including two inspector general of police, university teachers, lawyers, human rights activists and those who have served different crucial institutions.

The most well-known faces are: former Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, former cabinet secretary Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, former minister for religious affairs and water resources M Nazim Uddin Al Azad, an adviser to the former caretaker government and current president of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) Sultana Kamal, Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Founder Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed, noted author Prof Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, former Chief Justice Syed JR Mudassir Husain, former Dhaka University vice-chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, former Chief Information Commissioner Prof Golam Rahman, journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, film actor and Nirapad Sarak Chai (Nischa) founder Ilias Kanchan, former election commissioner M Shakhawat Hossain, journalist Ajay Dasgupta, Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) General Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar, eminent jurist Dr Shahdeen Malik, former Begum Rokeya University Vice-Chancellor Prof Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, noted economist Dr Ahsan Mansur, noted fashion designer Bibi Russell, Research Initiatives Bangladesh (RIB) Executive Director Dr Meghna Guhathakurta, adviser to a former caretaker government Rasheda K Chowdhury, noted educator and author Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam, economist Binayak Sen, Bangla Academy director and writer Selina Hossain, dean of Dhaka University Social Science faculty Sadeka Halim, former Bangladesh Ambassador to London MA Hannan, former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Atiur Rahman, former Chief of Army Staff Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan and former inspector general of police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Haque.

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The search committee disclosed the names in just 15 days after its formation as it was in a hurry to form a new Election Commission. The tenure of the commission led by KM Nurul Huda ended Monday.

“The way of publishing the names is not convincing,” said Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, a former election commissioner. 

The list included many people who had no idea about the election system, which was very illogical, he told The Business Standard, adding that such a process of forming election commissions was rare in the world.

He said the published list of 322 names had little importance. “The committee will submit 10 names to the president, which is very important and needs prior announcement.” 

Tofail Ahmed, a local government expert, said the committee published the list to inform people about the proposed names it received from different political parties.

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“Who proposed whom is not important,” he told daily frontline, adding that mentioning the parties who proposed the names would mark a tag on the potential EC office bearers.

“The list is not the final one. The Search Committee will look for eligible ones on its own. It can finalise anyone, even out of the published list. It is the committee’s decision.”

“From the previous experience, we believe the prime minister and the president would finalise the EC,” he added. 

Eminent jurist Shahdeen Malik said, “We (eminent citizens) suggested that the names should be revealed with the names of parties that proposed them. The way the names have been disclosed lacks transparency.” 

He also said if all the political parties only propose people from whom they could get favour, a proper EC cannot be formed. 

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However, Shahdeen Malik lauded the move of disclosing names saying this was “better than nothing.” 

Earlier on 6 February, the committee issued a notice, seeking names to form the next election commission. It also sent letters to the registered political parties for submitting names. The committee received 329 names of candidates till Monday 5pm. 

However, the past search committees, formed in 2012 and 2017, did not disclose the proposed names despite demands from political parties.

The invited citizens at the search committee meeting called for selecting individuals who were honest, competent, brave and believed in the spirit of the liberation war.

The search committee has disclosed the names of 322 people, proposed for serving as the Chief Election Commissioner and other commissioners in the new Election Commission.

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The complete list of the proposed candidates has been given below:

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Bangladesh

Investigation: Hasina’s ‘Shoot Directly’ Order and Its Deadly Consequences

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On the morning of July 27, 2024, Sheikh Hasina stood silently at the podium of the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), commonly known as Pongu Hospital, in Dhaka.

For nearly 14 seconds during her eight-minute emotional speech, the former prime minister remained silent. A visible pain marked her face, reflecting the weight of the bloodshed that had occurred since July 16, when police forces fatally shot Abu Sayed in Rangpur with lethal weapons. That day, five more lives were lost amidst violence in Dhaka and Chattogram.

By the time Hasina addressed the crowd at NITOR, the death toll across the last two weeks had reached at least 162, many of whom had been shot with military-grade weapons by state security forces, according to The Daily Star’s investigations.

“I seek justice from my fellow citizens. What crimes have I committed to deserve this?” 77-year-old Hasina asked after visiting some of the injured at the hospital.

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“I don’t want any mothers to lose their children like this. I’ve lost my parents; I know the pain… So many lives have been lost, so many families shattered. Who is responsible for all this?…” she began, but then, overcome with emotion, she left the stage in tears, unable to finish her words.

This heartfelt public address sharply contrasts with what was happening behind the scenes. An investigation by The Daily Star reveals that a state-sponsored machinery for mass violence had already been put into motion.

Just nine days earlier, on the evening of July 18, 2024, a phone rang inside the ousted prime minister’s residence, Gonobhaban, and Sheikh Hasina answered. On the line was Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, then the mayor of Dhaka South City. What followed was a startling disclosure of a lethal plan.

“We are now doing things differently. We are capturing photos with drones, and sending helicopters to several places,” Hasina told Taposh.

“Wherever they [the state forces] see gatherings, from the sky… I am getting it done from above, already started in several areas… already underway,” she said, while Taposh repeatedly pressed for launching a large-scale arrest campaign.

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Politics

July Uprising: Anisul and Salman Jail Sentences in Omar Murder Case

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A Dhaka court today ordered the imprisonment of former law minister Anisul Huq and former adviser to Sheikh Hasina, Salman F Rahman, in connection with the murder of Sajedur Rahman Omar during the July mass uprising.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mehedi Hasan issued the arrest order after police produced them before the court following their two-day remand in the case. The court was requested to keep them in custody until the investigation is complete.

Previously, on July 23, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbub Alam had granted a two-day remand for both Anisul and Salman in connection with the case.

According to case documents, Sajedur Rahman Omar participated in a rally against discrimination near Kajla Bridge in Jatrabari on July 21 of last year. He was shot in the head during the event and succumbed to his injuries the following day.

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A case was filed at Jatrabari Police Station on January 3 this year, naming 79 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina.

Anisul Huq and Salman F Rahman were arrested in the Sadarghat area of the capital on August 13, 2024, as they attempted to flee via waterways.

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Politics

Hasnat demands Health Adviser’s resignation

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Hasnat Abdullah, the chief coordinator for the southern region of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), has called for the resignation of Health Adviser Noorjahan Begum, accusing her of nepotism linked to Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

Speaking at a rally in Chandpur town on Wednesday, July 23, Hasnat characterized the Health Adviser as a prime example of favoritism within the interim government. He demanded that she return her salary and government benefits and step down immediately, asserting that she lacks the necessary qualifications and effectiveness for her position.

Addressing recent aviation and infrastructure accidents, Hasnat emphasized, “We do not want a Bangladesh where planes crash and buildings collapse.”

He also expressed concerns regarding the safety of military personnel, urging thorough inspections of military equipment. “Our brothers in the Air Force must be protected. It is time to verify if the equipment they use is safe,” he stated.

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Further criticizing the Health Adviser, Hasnat questioned her competence and alleged her appointment was solely due to her connections with Dr. Yunus through Grameen Bank.

“She has no understanding of healthcare or medical services. Her only qualification is her association with Yunus. Her salary and vehicle—funded by taxpayers—are a betrayal to the public,” he concluded.

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