Election Commission Act may be passed in the Parliament today

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has finalized the report of the 'Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner Appointment Bill 2022' raised in Parliament with some amendments in the two sections of eligibility and disqualification. The Election Commission may pass the law by presenting the report of the committee in the 16th session of the parliament on Wednesday (January 26).

Earlier, Law Minister Advocate Anisul Haque introduced the bill in Parliament on Sunday (January 23rd). When BNP MP Harunur Rashid objected to raising the bill but it was rejected by voice vote.

The parliamentary committee has recommended changes in the eligibility clause of CEC and commissioners in the bill raised in the parliament. Section 5 (c) states that in order to become a CEC and Commissioner, he must have at least 20 years of working experience in any important government, judicial, semi-government or private position.

This section will include government, judicial, semi-government or private positions as well as 'autonomous and other occupations'.

And in case of disqualification, section 6 (d) is being changed. Now it is said that a person cannot be a CEC or a commissioner if he is convicted of a criminal offense of moral turpitude and sentenced to at least two years’ imprisonment. Here, instead of two years any type of imprisonment has been recommended. That is to say, any term of imprisonment for criminal offense will be considered as disqualification in case of becoming CEC or Commissioner.

After the meeting of the parliamentary committee, the chairman of the committee Shahiduzzaman Sarkar informed the journalists about these changes.

He said the parliamentary committee had finalized the report after detailed discussions. We have made some changes in the place of qualifications and disqualifications. That is how the report will be given in the parliament.

He said the place of two years’ imprisonment has been changed. Two years’ imprisonment has been changed to only imprisonment. In addition to government, judicial, semi-government or private positions, I have recommended the addition of 'autonomous and other professions'.