In Bangladesh, the interim government formed a new election commission on Thursday. The five-member commission will be headed by former secretary AMM Nasir Uddin as the new chief election commissioner (CEC) for the next five years. He retired in January 2009.

The other four members are Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, a retired additional secretary; Abdur Rahmanel Masud, a retired District and Sessions judge; Begum Tahmida Ahmed, a retired joint secretary; and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah.

 President Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed all the five in line with Section 118 (1) of the constitution of Bangladesh. The Cabinet Division has issued a gazette notification in this regard.

Earlier on 5 September, Former CEC Kazi Habibul Awal and four other election commissioners resigned before their term ended, a month after the fall of  Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.

After the interim government took charge, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and many other political parties have been calling for necessary measures to form the Election Commission and carry out other reforms as soon as possible to hold the next national election.

Nasir Uddin was one of the two names proposed by BNP for the post of CEC, according to media reports.

However, there are no reports that the ousted former ruling party Awami League’s views were sought during the process of formation of new election commission.