Staff Reporter :
Former Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar died in a city hospital on Wednesday. He was 80.
He breathed his last at about 12:45pm , said Advocate Irene Mahbub, daughter of late Mahbub Talukder.
She said, “My father fell sick around 12:00pm. He was taken to the United Hospital. The doctors said that he suffered a massive heart attack. He died at 12:49pm.”
Mahbub Talukder had long been suffering from cancer. He had been undergoing treatment at United Hospital since July 1 last. Though the family tried to take him abroad, but it could not be possible due to his worsening health condition.
The former election commissioner had long been suffering from cancer.
On February 15, 2017, Mahbub Talukder was appointed the Election Commissioner in five-member Election Commission led by KM Nurul Huda by President Abdul Hamid. While serving as the EC, he raised many issues including irregularities in voting, ballot rigging, EVM etc.
Mahbub Talukder was born on February 13, 1942, at Purbadhala upazila in Netrakona district. He completed his secondary education at Nawabpur Govt High School, higher secondary at Dhaka College. He studied at the University of Dhaka and obtained Bachelor and Master degrees in Bengali Language and Literature. He joined the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh in 1968 and left in 1970.
He was engaged in journalism and teaching at the beginning of his professional career.
Mahbub Talukder fought bravely in the Liberation War in 1971 and later joined the information ministry under the Mujibnagar Government.
Later, he served in different positions during his five years at Bangabhaban. On January 24, 1972, he was appointed as a special officer of then-president Abu Sayeed Chowdhury, before serving as President Mohammad Mohammadullah’s public relations officer. Mahbub Talukder served as the President’s assistant press secretary during Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s tenure.
He also served as Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
He held different positions in various ministries and organizations until his retirement as additional secretary in 1999.
Mahbub Talukder was also a prominent writer of Bengali Literature. He wrote 44 books mainly on poetry and fiction.
