Former Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar died of cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment in the city’s United Hospital on Wednesday (Aug 24) at the age of 80, local media reported citing family sources.
"My father was rushed to the United Hospital as his oxygen level went down drastically. There, the duty doctors told us that our father suffered a massive cardiac failure and died around 1:31 p.m.," Talukdar's daughter Irin Mahbub said.
My father had been suffering from cancer for a long, she added.
Talukdar left behind his wife, two daughters and a son and a host of relatives, admirers and followers to mourn his death.
Talukdar was born at Purbadhala upazila in Netrakona district on Feb 13, 1942.
He completed his Secondary School Certificate from Nawabpur Government High School and Higher Secondary School Certificate from Dhaka College. He obtained his graduation and post-graduation degrees from the University of Dhaka in Bengali Language and Literature. Talukdar started his career as a teacher at the University of Chittagong where he taught Bengali language and literature.
He also taught at Jagannath University and the Department of Architecture of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
In 1971, he, as a freedom fighter, took part in the War of Liberation.
Subsequently, he worked at Bangabhaban in various positions.
He was the assistant press secretary to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. As per Bangabandhu's order, he was subsequently inducted into the Cadre Service, which later evolved into the BCS administration.
Talukder also served as the Director General of Shilpakala Academy. He retired from the Government service in 1999.
On Feb 15, 2017, Mahbub Talukdar was appointed as a member of the Bangladesh Election Commission by Md. President Abdul Hamid.
He was also awarded Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2012.
