The High Court has issued a rule seeking to know whether drug tests should be made mandatory for candidates in national parliamentary and local government elections. Simultaneously, the court has also sought to know why the absence of provisions for drug tests in electoral laws and regulations should not be declared legally invalid.
The High Court bench, comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice Sheikh Tahsin Ali, issued this rule on Monday (September 28). The court issued the order following an initial hearing of a writ petition filed by lawyer Israt Jahan Ani.
The writ petition named the Cabinet Secretary, Law Secretary, Home Secretary, Local Government Secretary, Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission Secretary, and the Director General of the Department of Narcotics Control, among others, as respondents.
The writ application stated that electoral laws and regulations should be amended to make drug testing mandatory for candidates in national parliamentary and local government elections. It also proposed a provision for submitting drug test certificates from government hospitals or recognized laboratories.
According to the petitioner’s lawyer, there is no specific mandatory provision for drug tests for candidates in the existing electoral laws and regulations. However, the lawyer pointed out in court that drug testing provisions exist for recruitment in government jobs and for police members.
The writ further argued that elected public representatives represent the people. Therefore, a provision for drug tests is necessary to ensure that candidates are free from drugs.
However, this High Court rule does not immediately make drug tests mandatory for election candidates. A final decision on this matter will be made based on the responses from the concerned respondents and subsequent court orders.
