Candidates to be disqualified from elections for charges in International Crimes Tribunal cases

A newly approveed amendment to the law bars anyone with a chargesheet filed against them from holding public office

The interim government has approved an amendment to the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973, which disqualifies a candidate from contesting an election if a chargesheet is filed against them under the law.

The Advisory Council approved an amended ordinance of the law at a meeting led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday, according to Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

He said, "A new section 20C has been added to the International Crimes Tribunal Act, 1973, through the ordinance."

“According to the added section, if a formal charge sheet is filed against a person under Section 91 of the ICT Act, they shall be disqualified from being elected or from holding office as a member of parliament. Similarly, they shall be disqualified from being elected or from holding public office as a member, commissioner, chairman, mayor or administrator in the local government system. They shall also be disqualified from being appointed to the service of the Republic or from holding any other public office.”