SANGSAD BHABAN, Sept 4, 2021 (BSS) – Bangladesh Legal Practitioners and Bar Council (Amendment) Bill,2021 was passed in the parliament keeping a provision of allowing the government to form an ad-hoc committee for  a maximum one-year tenure to arrange the bar council election in an unusual situation.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq moved the bill to the House which was unanimously passed by voice votes with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.

On September 1, the minister placed Bangladesh Legal Practitioners and Bar Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 in the parliament.

Earlier on July 26, the ordinance was approved by the cabinet and later the president promulgated the ordinance on July 28.

The ordinance was promulgated as parliament was not in session at that time. As per rules, the ordinance was placed in parliament on the first day of the session for its approval.

According to the bill, if the regular Bar Council election cannot be held by May 31 after every three years, the government can form a 15-member ad-hoc committee for a maximum one year, within which time, the committee will have to arrange the election.

In the existing Bangladesh Legal Practitioners and Bar Council Order, 1972, there is no alternative provision if the regular elections cannot be arranged in time due to any natural disaster or "acts of God".

As per the bill, elections to the bar council shall always be held so as to conclude on or before the "31st day of May" in the year in which the term of the Bar Council expires.

The attorney general shall be one of the members of the ad-hoc committee and shall also be its chairman, the law said.

"Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of this Order, the Ad-hoc Bar Council shall exercise such powers and functions of the Bar Council as specified in this Order and the rules made there under," it added.