HC issues rule on mandatory drug tests for election candidates

The High Court has issued a rule asking why drug tests should not be made mandatory for candidates contesting parliamentary and all local government elections in Bangladesh.

The court also asked why election laws and rules should not be amended to bar candidates who test positive for drugs or refuse to undergo the test.

A bench of Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice Sheikh Tahsin Ali issued the rule on Monday (September 28) following a public-interest writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Israt Jahan Oni, who represented herself at the hearing.

Oni told reporters after the hearing that existing election laws do not require candidates to undergo drug tests, although such tests are required for recruitment to some government jobs and police positions.

She argued that candidates seeking to represent citizens in Parliament or local government should be free from drug dependence and proposed requiring candidates to submit drug-test certificates from government-approved laboratories or hospitals along with their nomination papers.

The court 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.