Ex-secy Nurul Huda new CEC

Former secretary KM Nurul Huda has been chosen to lead the next Election Commission.

President Abdul Hamid appointed him chief election commissioner last night in line with a constitutional provision, according to a gazette notification issued around 10:00pm.

The president also appointed four election commissioners who include one woman for the first time. They are Mahbub Talukder, former additional secretary; Md Rafiqul Islam, ex-secretary; Begum Kabita Khanam, former district and sessions judge; and Brig Gen (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury.

In his immediate reaction, the newly appointed CEC said, "I am grateful to the president for appointing me to this important constitutional position. I will try my best to carry out the responsibility impartially in line with the constitution."

Earlier, Cabinet Secretary Shafiul Alam said Nurul Huda's name was not there in the proposals of the ruling Awami League and the BNP, submitted to the six-member search committee for constituting the next EC.