Bangladesh to discuss lifting of emergency during polls

By NNN-BSS

Dhaka, Bangladesh : Law Adviser of Bangladesh caretaker government AF Hassan Ariff Tuesday said withdrawal of the state of emergency during the period of holding the general election is being discussed, but it is not possible now to give the exact date for its lifting.


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“There is no scope for disagreement or controversy about withdrawal of the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) during the polls,” the adviser said at the weekly briefing in the conference room of the Land Ministry.

Replying to a question, Hassan Ariff said measures for withdrawal of the EPR would be taken after announcement of the election schedule by the Election Commission (EC). Withdrawal of the EPR will be decided by the cabinet or the government, but not by any individual, he added.

The EPR should be lifted as per requirements of the EC, which will inform the government when it is needed, the adviser said.

Some clauses of the EPR would be relaxed during the elections of the four city corporations, the law adviser said questioning “if it is not done then how the polls could be held?”

“Articles of the EPR, which are related to freedom of association and movement, and create obstacles to holding the polls, will be withdrawn,” he said.

Hassan Ariff said the courts of district and sessions judges have not yet been established at the three Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). So, it is needed to amend some clauses of the CHT Regulation Act-1900, he added.

Some amendments to the CHT act were made in 2003 and some laws also enacted, but those were not enforced, he said adding that steps have been taken to make those laws effective.

The government would amend the Contempt of Court Act, but it would be cautious about protecting the interest of all. It would also bring reforms in the Vested Property Act, he added.

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