The Council of Advisers, on Thursday, approved the long-anticipated Police Commission Ordinance, paving the way for the formation of an independent five-member commission aimed at making policing in Bangladesh more public-centred, accountable and rights-sensitive.
Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan announced the decision at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Thursday afternoon, following a meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Ms Hasan said the ordinance provides for a five-member Police Commission to be led by a retired judge of the Supreme Court.
Other members, she added, must include a Grade-I government officer with experience as a district magistrate, a retired police officer not below Additional Inspector General (Grade-I), a university professor - currently serving or retired - and a human rights or governance expert with at least 15 years' experience.
"The objective behind forming this commission is to make the police more people-friendly and responsive," she said. "The commission will work with the government, advising on how the police can operate free from influence, identifying areas where modernisation and human rights-focused reforms are needed, and recommending relevant training."
According to the adviser, the commission will also serve as an oversight mechanism for complaints. Its two major functions will be to investigate and dispose of public complaints against the police, and to resolve grievances raised by police personnel regarding professional matters.
Beyond oversight, the commission will be responsible for recommending improvements to efficiency, discipline, transparency and accountability within the force.
It will also draw up or advise on action plans for capacity building, training in information technology, welfare management, and research on policing laws.
Meanwhile, the Council of Advisers has also approved fresh amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), the country's main electoral legislation.
On this issue, Ms Hasan said the reform package contains two key revisions: one determining which votes may be excluded from counting, and another expanding voting rights to expatriate Bangladeshis. A procedural provision has been included outlining how postal ballots cast from abroad will be counted.
"These amendments are important steps towards enfranchising our expatriate community and strengthening electoral credibility," she added.
Responding to a question, Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has been declared a 'Very Very Important Person (VVIP)' through an official gazette notification. "At present, only she will get the facilities of this status".
Responding to another query, the adviser added that there is no such thing as a 'final meeting' of the Council of Advisers before the election schedule is announced. "We will continue to function as a regular government," she said.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com