Fugitive convicts will not be able to contest in national elections

Fugitive convicts in cases will not be able to contest in the national parliament elections. The Advisory Council of the Interim Government has approved the draft of the Representation of the People Order (Amendment) Ordinance related to elections by adding such a provision.

On Thursday, the Advisory Council met at its office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, chaired by Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus. Later, at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, Legal Advisor Professor Asif Nazrul and the Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced the decision of the Advisory Council meeting.

Emphasizing various aspects of the draft of the Representation of the People Order (Amendment) Ordinance, Legal Advisor Asif Nazrul said that fugitives in various cases will not be able to vote; this has also been added.

In response to the question of who is meant by a fugitive accused, the legal advisor said, “A fugitive is someone who is declared a fugitive by the court. When the court asks you to come, an advertisement has been placed in the newspaper, and you do not come, the court declares you a fugitive. A fugitive is someone who is declared a fugitive during the trial.”

Earlier this month, an amendment was brought to the International Crimes Tribunal Act. According to that amendment, if a formal charge or formal complaint is filed against someone in a case of crimes against humanity, that person will not be able to participate in the national parliament and local government elections.

Many leaders of the Awami League (currently banned) are being tried in the ongoing cases of crimes against humanity at the International Crimes Tribunal over the killings during the July coup last year. In addition, many leaders of the party have gone into hiding after the Awami League was ousted from power in the coup, including former ministers and MPs. Cases have been filed against almost all of them on various charges, including corruption, murder, and attempted murder. If these leaders are declared fugitives from the court, they will not be able to contest the elections.