New ICT Act bars accused from polls
Staff Reporter :
The interim government has approved a major amendment to the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act, 1973, introducing provisions that disqualify any person formally charged under the law from contesting elections or holding public office.
The decision was made at a meeting of the Advisory Council chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Thursday, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed.
He said the government had approved an ordinance incorporating a new section – 20C – into the ICT Act. The provision states that any individual against whom a formal chargesheet has been filed under Section 91 of the law will lose eligibility for electoral politics and key public positions.
“According to the newly added section, if a chargesheet is filed against a person under the ICT Act, they shall be disqualified from being elected or from holding office as a member of parliament.
The same restriction applies to offices in local government, including member, commissioner, chairman, mayor, or administrator,” Alam said.
The amendment further bars such individuals from being appointed to the service of the republic or from holding any other public office.
Officials said the measure is intended to ensure that those accused of crimes under the ICT Act – which primarily deals with war crimes
and crimes against humanity – cannot use political or public positions to shield themselves from accountability.
Legal experts noted that the provision goes beyond parliamentary eligibility and applies across the entire spectrum of government service and elected local bodies.
The amendment, they added, reflects the interim government’s broader pledge to strengthen accountability and uphold justice in public life.
The ordinance comes as part of a series of legal reforms being pushed forward under the interim administration to tighten ethical standards for political participation and restore public confidence in governance ahead of the country’s next general election, expected in early 2026.