ICT Act amendment with Section 23 bars those formally charged from elections and govt jobs
Representational image of voting in Bangladesh. File photo: Collected
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Representational image of voting in Bangladesh. File photo: Collected
Highlights: What an individual formally charged in crimes against humanity cases is barred from
- Contesting in national elections
- Being elected or continuing as Members of Parliament
- Holding posts in local government bodies or state institutions
- Appointment to the service of the Republic or any public office
The interim government has decided that no individual formally charged in crimes against humanity cases filed under the International Crimes Tribunal Act will be qualified for contesting in the national election.
As per a decision at a meeting of the Advisory Council today (4 September), presided over by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, a new Section 23 has been added to the International Crimes Tribunal Act 1973.
During a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy,Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said, “According to the newly added section, if a person is formally charged under Section 9 (1) of the said law, they will be disqualified from being elected or continuing as a Member of Parliament.”
While earlier the Representation of the People Order (RPO) disqualified war crimes convicts from polls, recent amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act now bar anyone charged or convicted of crimes against humanity from contesting elections.
Shafiqul added that an accused person will also be disqualified from being a member, commissioner, chairman, mayor, or administrator of any local government body or state institution.
Furthermore, they will also be ineligible for appointment in the service of the republic or any other public office.
New telecom policy
During the meeting, the government also approved the Telecommunication Network and Licensing Policy 2025.
The policy aims to improve service quality and make the sector more competitive, said Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the chief adviser’s special assistant for post, telecommunications, and information technology.
He said the long-term objective is to bring the cost of voice calls and internet data within the purchasing power of the common people.
“The new framework replaces the existing licensing system, which was riddled with middlemen, with a streamlined process designed to ensure quality services and fair competition,” Taiyeb added.