Law Minister Anisul Huq has said that the next Election Commission (EC) would be constituted through a search committee as the enactment of a specific law for its formation is not possible right now because of the time constraints and Covid-19 situation.
“We want to follow the law that is mentioned in the constitution to form the EC. However, the tenure of the existing EC expires on February 15. Besides, the pandemic situation is still underway. In such a situation, it is not possible to formulate a law for forming the Election Commission,” he said.
The minister said these while responding to questions from reporters at the, ‘Meet the Reporters’ program, organized by the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) at its Segunbagicha office in the capital on Sunday (October 10).
President of DRU Mursalin Nomani presided over the event, while its General Secretary Moshiur Rahman Khan was also present.
Anisul Huq said that previously when the search committee was formed, the president took the opinions of all political parties. This time, the president will also take opinions.
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“After everyone agreed, the search committee was made into a gazette in the past. Although the gazette is not a law, since it was done with the consent of all and was decided by the president, it is close to the law. I am still saying it is not the law, but it is closer to the law,” he added.
Replying to another question, he said that there is no room for further argument about the caretaker government. The matter has been dismissed following the verdict of the Supreme Court.
About the permanent release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, the law minister said that the BNP chief was released on conditions. The matter of permanent release was not in the hands of the government. The case is pending in court. If she wins the case, she will be released permanently.
Anisul Huq said that the decision was taken to form a commission of inquiry to find out the culprits behind the conspiracy to assassinate the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members on August 15 in 1975.
Steps have already been taken to form the commission. This commission is to get rid of the distorted history and help write the true history in the right direction and pass it on to future generations, he added.
He also said that a law would be enacted soon for the appointment of judges in the higher court.
Replying to a question on the separation of the judiciary, Anisul Huq said that the judiciary was largely free from the influence of the executive branch.
Replying to another question, the law minister said that cybercriminals living abroad would be brought under the law. The cybercriminals involved in spreading propaganda against Bangabandhu’s family, government, judiciary, and the country through social media abroad would be brought under the law.
Asked how to bring cybercriminals abroad under the law, he said, “Even if the crime is committed outside Bangladesh, they will be considered to have committed crime in Bangladesh.
Such provisions were also included in the Digital Security Act. “We can take action and we will be able to bring them under the law in the countries where they are,” he added.
