Advisers can’t contest election while holding office: EC Anwarul

Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarker on Tuesday hinted that any adviser of the interim government cannot contest the upcoming election while remaining in office, as the election code of conduct prohibits them from taking part even in polls campaigns.

“You asked whether any person holding a post in the government can run in the election. I would say ‘no’ as the person because a person cannot engage in the election campaign while in that post,” he told reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.

The Election Commissioner explained that it is practically impossible for a person holding a government post to take part in the election without campaigning. “So, it doesn’t need to say that no one can participate in the election, remaining in his or her own post,” he added.

According to the Article 66 of the Constitution, a person shall be disqualified for election as, or for being, a member of Parliament who holds any office of profit in the service of the Republic other than an office which is declared by law not to be disqualified its holder; or is disqualified for such election by or under any law.

But the same article also states that a person shall not be deemed to hold an office of profit in the service of the Republic by reason only that he is the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, Minister, Minister of State or Deputy Minister.

As per the draft election code of conduct, the chief adviser and advisers of the government who have been defined as ‘very important person enjoying government benefits,’ which bars them from joining the election campaign.

In 2024, the Prime Minister, the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and the ministers ran in the 12^th parliamentary election, holding their respective posts.

The Election Commission is set to announce the election schedule this week to arrange the 13^th parliamentary election and referendum on the July National Charter simultaneously in a single day in early February 2026.