JS to pass Cyber Security Bill today

The much talked about Cyber Security Bill is set be passed in parliament today.

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak will place the proposed law in the House for its passage, according to the business schedule of today's House proceedings.

On September 5, the junior minister tabled the controversial bill in parliament. As per the rules of procedure of parliament, the bill was sent to the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry concerned for further scrutiny. The standing committee, after scrutiny, submitted its report to the House.

The government on August 7 had said it decided to "transform and modernise" the Digital Security Act, which would be renamed the Cyber Security Act after amending some sections of the existing law.

Apart from the Cyber Security Bill, two more bills -- National Identity Registration Bill-2023 and National Parliament (Reserved Seats for Women) Election (amendment) Bill-2003 -- are scheduled to be passed in the Jatiya Sangsad today.

The National Identity Registration Bill seeks to transfer the national identity registration operation from the Election Commission to the Security Services Division of the home ministry.

The EC has been conducting the national identity registration operation and issuing national identity cards to citizens aged 18 and above since 2007 as per the National Identity Registration Act-2010.

The ongoing 24th session of parliament is likely to be prorogued today.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Opposition Leader Raushan Ershad are expected to deliver winding up speeches before the closure of the session.