Advisory Council Clears EC, Tax Law Amendment Proposals

The Advisory Council has approved proposals to amend two Election Commission-related laws to strengthen accountability and ensure free, fair and impartial elections.

The amendments cover the Election Commission Secretariat Act, 2009, and the Election Officers (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. Key changes include clearer provisions for penalising negligence during elections, redefining the role of election officers, and updating rules on disciplinary action.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, also endorsed proposals to amend several revenue-related laws.

Under the draft financial laws, VAT exemptions will be allowed in special cases, while corporate taxpayers will face an increased withholding tax rate of 15 percent on investments in government securities, up from 10 percent. Tax collected from commercially operated buses and other transport sectors will now be treated as final taxable income.

The meeting also reviewed progress on 121 reform proposals, of which 24 have been implemented and 14 partially implemented. Ministries and divisions were directed to submit detailed progress reports, which will be compiled by the Cabinet Division and published for public dissemination.