Dhaka: A significant amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Act now mandates that any individual charge-sheeted under the act is disqualified from holding or contesting for public office or securing government employment.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the new provision was unveiled by Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam during a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy. The amendment, encapsulated in Section 23 of the ICT Act, 1973, stipulates that individuals facing formal charges under Section 9(1) are ineligible to be elected or to continue serving as Members of Parliament (MP).
The amendment further extends this disqualification to positions within local government bodies. Individuals with formal charges will lose eligibility to serve as members, commissioners, chairpersons, mayors, or administrators across any local government councils or institutions. Additionally, these individuals are barred from being appointed to government services or holding any other public office.
The decision to incorporate this new section was finalized during the Advisory Council's 41st meeting. The meeting, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, took place at the Chief Adviser's Office in Dhaka's Tejgaon area, culminating in the approval of the 'International Crimes (Tribunals) (Third Amendment) Ordinance, 2025'.