Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said former Justice and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Md Abdur Rouf would repeatedly be referred to as an example in Bangladesh's democratic journey and he would live forever in the hearts of the people of the country through his work.
In a condolence message on Sunday, Dr Yunus recalled Justice Rouf's contribution to the country's return to democracy after assuming the charge of Chief Election Commissioner following the fall of dictator Ershad on December 6, 1990 in the face of mass uprising.
The Chief Adviser also said Justice Rouf was a great pillar of civil society and worked tirelessly for ensuring rights to vote, reform and democracy which the nation will remember with due respect.
The Chief Adviser expressed deep shock and sorrow over Justice Rouf’s death.
Dr Yunus prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and expressed his deepest condolences to his bereaved family members.
Justice Rouf breathed his last at 10am on Sunday while receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit at private Insaf Barakah Kidney and General Hospital Dhaka, said his personal assistant Md Tawhid. He was 95.
As per the family's wish, Rouf will be laid to rest in his ancestral home in Mymensingh after official procedures in Dhaka, said Tawhid.
Rouf played a role as the 5th CEC after the fall of HM Ershad regime in the 1990s.
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Following the formation of Bangladesh's first caretaker government, headed by Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, Justice Rouf was appointed as the CEC.
For the first time during the interim government's tenure, Bangladesh had a three-member Election Commission (EC). Justice Rouf joined as the CEC the day after Justice Sultan Hossain Khan’s resignation.
Under Justice Rouf’s leadership, the 5th parliamentary election was held on February 27, 1991, with BNP and Awami League 140 and 88 securing seats respectively.
The Rouf Commission, during the caretaker government’s tenure, made significant reforms to the electoral law and issued the Election Officer (Special Provision) Ordinance.
On April 18, 1995, Justice Abdur Rouf resigned from the position of CEC and returned to his position as an HC judge.
He was appointed as a judge of the Appellate Division in June 1995 and retired on February 1, 1999.
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After retirement, he served as Shariah adviser for Fareast Islami Life Insurance Company Ltd and Prime Islamic Life Insurance Company.
He also served as the central president of the national children and youth organisation, ‘Phulkuri Ashar.'