Political parties on Wednesday reached a consensus to incorporate a provision in the Constitution for forming a selection committee to nominate the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners during the reconstitution of the Election Commission.

The agreement came during the 18th day of the second-round dialogue between the National Consensus Commission and the political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Wednesday.

“Political parties and alliances have reached a consensus to include a provision in the constitution to form a specific committee for nominations to the Election Commission. The Jatiya Sangsad Speaker will lead this selection committee,” said NCC Vice Chair Prof Ali Riaz while briefing reporters after the day’s session.

He said there has been agreement to amend several sub-sections of Article-118 of the Constitution.

According to the agreed proposal, there will be an election commission consisting of the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners (number to be determined by law). A five-member selection committee headed by the Speaker will be formed for nominations to the Election Commission.  Other members of the selection committee are the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader, Deputy Speaker (from the opposition party) and a judge of the Appellate Division to be nominated by the Chief Justice.

The selection committee shall start searching names for the EC’s reconstitution 90 days before the expiry of the current commission.  The qualification and disqualification for CEC and other commissioners as well as the searching procedure will be determined by a law.

Based on a consensus, the committee shall recommend one name each for the posts of the CEC and commissioners to the President who will then make the formal appointments for a five-year term. The office of Speaker shall provide secretariat assistance to the committee.

On Wednesday, the appointment process of some important constitutional and statutory institutions – Election Commission (EC), Public Service Commission (PSC), Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and the Office of the Ombudsman—were discussed. “Today (Wednesday), the discussion over the Election Commission completed,” said Prof Riaz.

 “Different political parties have shown significant flexibility from their earlier positions to reach this consensus today. This will pave the way for establishing an independent and effective Election Commission,” he said, extending sincere thanks to all the political parties for their responsible stance.

Describing Wednesday’s discussions as highly fruitful, the NCC vice chair expressed optimism that the National Charter could be finalised by the end of this July.

 “We will continue our efforts and are optimistic that we will soon reach a complete national charter (reform charter) based on political consensus,” said Prof Riaz.