JS body proposes two amendments to EC bill

Parliamentary standing committee on the law ministry proposed two amendments in the EC formation bill sent to them for scrutiny.

Committee chairman Shahiduzzaman Sarker presented the review report at the parliament session on Wednesday.   

The law minister is expected to place the bill in the house today for passing.  

Two amendments proposed by the committee: 

The initial bill said people having at least 20 years of work experience in important government, semi-government, private, or judicial posts would be considered eligible for the posts of chief election commissioner and election commissioners.

But the standing committee proposed to include people from autonomous organisations and other professions also. 

Besides, the initial edition proposed that those who had been convicted for a criminal offence involving moral turpitude and sentenced to at least two years of imprisonment would not be eligible for the posts of chief election commissioner and election commissioners.

The standing committee removed the words 'two-year' so that no convict, sentenced for any term of imprisonment, can be eligible.

Earlier, Law Minister Anisul Huq placed the 'Appointment of chief election commissioner and election commissioner bill 2022' in the house.