Dhaka – The government on Monday issued a special policy to allow firearms license for politically important individuals and the candidates for the upcoming parliamentary election.
The policy that came in the wake the shooting of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, the spokesperson of the Inqilab Moncha also outlined the ways for hiring gunmen (retainers) for those individuals.
Following Friday’s shooting on Hadi, also a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, Home Affairs Adviser Mohammad Jahangir Alam told media that the government would allow gun licenses for the candidates.
In line with the announcement, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday issued a notification titled the Firearms License and Retainer Appointment Policy-2025 ahead of the elections, slated for February 12 voting across 300 parliamentary seats.
In order to ensure public safety, maintain law and order, and prevent election-related violence, the government has formulated and issued the following policy to grant firearm licenses and allow the appointment of retainers for politically significant individuals and candidates for the National Parliament, it said.
Regarding the definition of a retainer, the policy states: A maximum of one retainer can be appointed for a politically significant individual or candidate.
The term of the armed person assigned and approved for security purposes will also end upon the expiry of the specified period, it added.
Eligibility for obtaining a license:
- Must be a politically significant individual recognized by the government.
b. Must have submitted nomination papers to contest the 13th Parliamentary Election.
c. Must have an existing security risk verified by the competent authority (intelligence agency, where applicable).
d. Must be physically and mentally capable.
e. Must have a secure arrangement for storing the firearm.
f. Regarding the granting of licenses under this policy, other policies and provisions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on this matter must apply. However, the part concerning personal income tax payment may be relaxed.
Term of the license:
- The term of a license approved under this policy shall be 15 days starting from the date of declaration of the election results. After that period, such a license shall be deemed automatically cancelled. Provided that, if the other conditions of the policy issued for obtaining a license are fulfilled, the Ministry of Home Affairs may convert this temporary license into a regular license.
b. If a license holder continues to possess any firearm under that license after its term has expired or after its cancellation, punitive measures will be taken against him/her according to prevailing laws.
Conditions for appointing a retainer:
- Appointment of a retainer shall be permissible only if there is a genuine security risk.
- A retainer cannot be appointed or approved for the purpose of exerting influence in political activities or for the purpose of intimidation.
- If a politically significant individual or candidate is eligible to obtain a license but is unable or unwilling to purchase a firearm, he/she may appoint a person who possesses a legally licensed firearm, is capable of operating it, and is willing to be a retainer of a politically significant individual or candidate, as a retainer along with the firearm. Such an appointment must be approved by the licensing authority.
