HC asks why dope test shouldn't be mandatory for parliamentary, local govt election candidates
The court also asked why electoral laws and regulations should not be amended to declare candidates ineligible if they test positive for drugs or refuse to undergo a dope test.
The High Court today (28 September) issued a rule asking the government to explain why dope tests should not be made mandatory for candidates contesting national parliamentary and all local government elections.
The court also asked why electoral laws and regulations should not be amended to declare candidates ineligible if they test positive for drugs or refuse to undergo a dope test.
A HC bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice Sheikh Tahsin Ali issued the rule.
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Supreme Court lawyer Israt Jahan Oni filed the writ petition as a public interest litigation and appeared on behalf of the petitioner.
Speaking to journalists after the hearing, Oni said Bangladesh's electoral laws and regulations currently have no clear requirement for candidates to undergo dope tests. However, she noted that drug testing is mandatory for recruitment to certain government jobs, including positions in the police.
"We, as citizens, regularly pay taxes. Those who represent us – whether as MPs or local government representatives – must be drug-free and of sound mind," the lawyer said.
"A person addicted to drugs cannot properly uphold the rights of the people or represent them," she added.
She further argued that candidates should be required to submit a drug-test certificate issued by a government-approved laboratory or hospital along with their nomination papers.
The court has asked seven respondents, including the cabinet secretary, law secretary, home secretary, local government secretary, chief election commissioner, election commission secretary and director general of the Department of Narcotics Control, to respond to the rule.
