Dhaka: Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has asked the authorities concerned to appoint skilled, neutral and judicious people to the new Election Commission (EC) to hold free, fair and inclusive polls in the country.

TIB members came up with the call at a meting held at its head office in the capital on Monday, marking ‘Members’ Day’, said a TIB press release on Tuesday. 

Expressing the hope that the search committee will include stakeholders in the EC formation process, they said the search committee should make public the final list of the names to be submitted to the President to ensure transparency.

The TIB members observed that good governance and the progress of corruption prevention depend on an effective EC, one of the institutions included in the National Integrity Strategy announced by the government.

They voiced concern at the meeting as there is no specific law regarding EC formation despite having the constitutional obligation to appoint election commissioners.

About 35 people from different professions who are involved in anti-corruption social movement with TIB attended the meeting.