Law approved to equip EC to punish neglect of polls duty

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus speaking at a programme in Dhaka recently. UNB.

Dhaka, Sept 18 - The Council of Advisers on Thursday approved the draft of the Election Officials (Special Provision) (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 in a bid to empower the Election Commission (EC) with stronger authority to take punitive actions against election officials in cases of irregularities and negligence in polls duty.

Besides, the Council also approved the draft of Election Commission Secretariat (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 with a view to establishing an ‘Election Commission Service’ for recruiting officials for the EC Secretariat and expanding their functions.

The approval came from the Council’s meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the Chief Adviser’s Office in the capital.

“Due to the two proposed laws, the works of the Election Commission will speed up ahead of the election. And they (EC) will be able to take many measures very quickly,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said while briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy after the meeting.

Besides, he said, the accountability of EC officials and election officials could also be ensured for their negligence through the proposed laws.

“The main objective is to make the Election Commission more dynamic and empowered. Another purpose is to bring election officials under greater accountability and ensure their punishment in case of negligence. Previously, there was a lack of clarity regarding the scope of such punishment,” the press secretary added.

According to the draft Election Officials (Special Provision) (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, the definition of ‘election officials’ has been clarified further. Election officials will now include all persons assigned to any election-related duty or activity, as well as returning officers, presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, polling officers, and members of law enforcement agencies responsible for maintaining law and order during elections.

The amendment incorporates three new provisions in addition to the existing four provisions of the 1991 law, thereby strengthening the EC’s authority to discipline officials.

One such provision, Article 5 (7), states that if it appears that an election official has been negligent in duty, the Commission will be empowered to take necessary punitive measures against the official. But the EC now can recommend the appointing authority punishment in such cases in line with the existing law.

Another provision, Article 5 (5), stipulates that any action taken on the basis of the Commission’s recommendation will be recorded in the concerned official’s personal file, service book, and annual confidential report (ACR), and the Commission must be informed accordingly.

A further clause provides that in case of any difference of opinion between the government and the Commission, the Commission’s decision shall get precedence.

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahmmad were also present at the briefing. - UNB