Staff Correspondent: The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the Election Commissioners want to continue with the equal status of the State Minister. They want all the allowances including TA-DS to travel to the district and round-the-clock security at their residence.

Even monthly salaries, other allowances are equal demands of high court judges. At the same time, the draft law on salaries, allowances, pensions and other benefits of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners has been finalized with the provision of using the national flag and the flag of the Commission in vehicles while traveling outside Dhaka. It also has the facilities that judges do not get. Pension benefits have also been added. EC sources have revealed this information.

The draft will be presented for approval at the 74th meeting of the commission on Sunday (January 3). Earlier, it was taken up at the 74th meeting of the commission. There was no question of equal opportunity for the state minister. Therefore, from that meeting, the amendment proposal was again sent to the Law Reform Committee.

Asked about these issues, Election Commissioner Kabita Khanam said, "According to the constitution, judges will get equal opportunities." The draft law has been made by mentioning that issue in detail. In reply to a question, she said that according to the Warrant of Presidency, the Election Commissioners have the same rank as the Minister of State. That issue has also been taken into consideration.

It is known that at a recent meeting of the EC's law reform committee, the issue of equal opportunities for state ministers was approved in the draft. The chief election commissioner of the committee is Kabita Khanam. Its members met on 19 August, 26 September, 8 October and 11 and 12 November to finalize it. The draft has also been shown to the CEC and Election Commissioners.

According to several members of the Law Reform Committee, the Chief Election Commissioner is equal to the judges of the Appellate Division and four Election Commissioners equal to the judges of the High Court are getting the same facilities. However, as per the decision of the commission meeting, the process of passing the law related to their facilities is going on. However, the EC has not taken any initiative in this regard despite the demand for enactment of law in various quarters regarding the appointment of Election Commissioner.

Section 15 (1) states that the CEC and the Election Commissioners will get houses furnished with furniture including guard sheds. The EC Secretariat will bear the gas, water and electricity bills of this house. Until they get a house, the election commissioners will get an allowance at the rate of Tk 50,600 per month. Apart from this, according to Article 11, CEC and Election Commissioners will also get security allowance of Tk 16,000 per month.

According to EC sources, CEC KM Nurul Huda lives at the official residence on Minto Road. The other four commissioners do not live in government residences but in their own homes. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is coming to the houses with round-the-clock security. This time it is being included in the law. Section 16 (5) of the Act states, "In case of traveling within the country, the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioner shall be entitled to all allowances and benefits, including TA and DS, as per the order issued by the Government for the post of State Minister."

Besides, it has been said in section 16 (6) that the national flag and the flag of the Election Commission can be used in vehicles for official travel outside the Dhaka metropolitan area. At present the commissioners use only the national flag on the vehicles. If this law is passed, they will be able to use two flags. They also said that at present the commissioners do not get chef allowance. According to the draft law, the chef allowance has been fixed at Tk 16,000 per month.

Retired officers from various professions are appointed as Election Commissioners. They get pension from the profession from which they retire. But in the draft law, provision has been made to enjoy lifelong pension benefits if he serves as the Election Commissioner for 3 years. It has been said that for 5 years, they will get 100% of the latest salary at the rate of 5/5, for 4 years 80% at the rate of 4/5 and for 3years at the rate of 3/5 60% of the monthly pension.

However, in the initial draft, it is proposed to give pension only after 6 months of service. It has been said that if the election commissioners die, their wives or husbands will get this opportunity. In their absence, the son will get that allowance for 25 years. In the draft law, 50 per cent of the basic salary per month, special allowance, rest and recreation allowance, festival allowance, entertainment allowance, medical facilities and other facilities have been included.