Awaiting next president, CJ, IGP

The Awami League government is trying to make its choices final for two top constitutional posts as tenures of president and chief justice are set to expire shortly.

The tenure of president Md. Abdul Hamid will expire 23 April.

Also, the tenure of former chief justice SK Sinha, who resigned recently, expires on 31 January.

The government will also need to fill in the top post of the police -- inspector general of police (IGP) -- to be vacant with the retirement of the incumbent, AKM Shahidul Haque, on 31 January.

Such election and appointment bear special significance in a year that will see holding of general elections in the country.

Electing new president

There is buzz in the ruling Awami League (AL) as to who will be chosen as the next head of the state. A new president should be elected 2-3 months before departure of the current office-bearer, according to the constitution.

Most of the AL leaders, however, believe Hamid may retain his position for another term.

As expected, party president prime minister Sheikh Hasina will take the final decision and she has already made indication that Hamid would be seen in office for the second term, some AL policymakers said.

A meeting of the party’s executive council will be convened soon to discuss the matter once schedule for election to president post is announced.

Party leaders said the AL will nominate only one person for the position, meaning its candidate will be elected unopposed, given the party's absolute majority in parliament. In the parliamentary form of government restored in 1991, members of parliament (MPs) elect the president.

The president election may be held on 19 February, law, justice and parliamentary affairs minister Anisul Huq said on Monday referring to an indication he received from the election commission (EC).

Appointing chief justice

The post of chief justice (CJ) remains vacant for the past two and a half months, the longest period of vacancy in the position in county’s history.

Minister Anisul Huq said the new chief justice will be appointed soon.

Two names are being discussed for the position -- acting CJ Md Abdul Wahhab Miah and the second most senior judge of the Appallate Division of the Supreme Court justice Syed Mahmud Hossain.

Wahhab Miah will go on retirement 10 November this year and and justice Mahmud Hossain on 30 November 2021.

Asked if he ruled out the possibility of appointing the new chief justice 'very soon', the law minister said, “Why should I reject it? Chance is there.”

Asked whether the custom of appointing the senior most judge as the CJ would be followed and exactly when the CJ would be appointed, Anisul Huq said, “It all depends on the president and I don’t have any comment.”

Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, the 21st chief justice of the country, had resigned on 10 November 2017, following bitter relations with the incumbents after cancellation of the 16th amendment to the constitution.

Who will be new IGP?

Concerned quarters in the government are discussing if there will be a new face in the position of the inspector general of police (IGP) or current IGP AKM Shahidul Haque will be given an extension of service.

Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said the new IGP will be appointed as per rules. However, he added, nothing has been finalised yet.

Officials at the police headquarter said names such as Javed Patwari, current additional IGP posted at special branch (SB), Mokhlesur Rahman, additional IGP, and Benazir Ahmed, RAB director general, are being discussed for the top position.

Home ministry officials, however, said the final decision will come from the prime minister.

* This report is rewritten compiling a few reports originally published in Prothom Alo print edition, by Saimul Huda