Dhaka: Noted citizens at their meeting with the search committee suggested proposing the names of honest, competent, nonpartisan and neutral people for forming the new Election Commission (EC).

They also recommend enacting a law on the formation of the EC in the light of the constitution as soon as possible for the welfare of the nation.

The 12 distinguished persons also suggested the search panel to propose the names of acceptable persons for the next Commission formation as per people’s hopes and aspirations so that it can hold free, fair and transparent polls.

The nearly two hour-long meeting that began around 4:15pm was held at the Supreme Court Judges’ Lounge.

Briefing reporters about the meeting, Cabinet Division Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said the search committee took the opinions of the 12 noted citizens.

“They all suggested selecting honest capable, acceptable, nonpartisan an impartial for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and (CEC) other Election Commissioners,” he said.

Asked whether the noted citizens talked about any criteria for appointing the CEC and commissioners, Shafiul Alam said, “They said honest, neutral, compartment people having experience in field of the administration can be appointed to the posts. We hope the search committee will consider their suggestions.”

He, however, said the noted citizens did not propose any one’s name for appointing to the Commission.

All the 12 invited citizens were present at the meeting.

They are former High Court Division Judge Abdur Rashid, former Dhaka University vice-chancellors AK Azad Chowdhury and SMA Faiz, Prof Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury, DU supernumerary Prof Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, former chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda, former election commissioners Muhammed Sohul Hussain and Muhammad Sakhawat Hussain, lawyer and rights campaigner Sultana Kamal, local government expert Tofayel Ahmed, former inspector general of police Nurul Huda and Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder.

On Wednesday, President Abdul Hamid formed a six-member search committee, headed by Supreme Court's Appellate Division judge Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, for reconstituting the Election Commission (EC).

The search committee held its first meeting on Saturday asking each of the 31 political parties which took part in talks with the President over formation of the next EC to propose five names by 11am on Tuesday.

The committee also requested 12 noted citizens to give their opinions on the EC formation at its next meeting today.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, ATM Shamsul Huda said the EC should be formed with those whom people can trust right from the beginning.

He said the Commission will not be bale to earn public confidence if anyone having link with politics gets appointment.

Huda said they suggested proposing the names of competent people for the EC. “If low-qualified people are appointed, they consider it as a privilege and they can be influenced by any quarter.”

Sultana Kamal said, “People want to see capable persons in the Commission so that they can hold fair elections.”

Sakhawat Hussain said they did not propose any name. “We’ve given various suggestions and hope the search committee will propose the names of neutral and acceptable persons for forming the new Election Commission. If the committee can’t propose capable, sincere and honest persons’ names, people will hold them responsible.”

Prof Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque said, “Many of us focused on formulating a law for appointing the CEC and commissioners.”

AK Azad Chowdhury said they suggested enacting a law as per the constitution for formation of the EC.