The Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday passed the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at abolishing the current 65-year age limit for the appointment of the BSEC Chairman and Commissioners.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury moved the bill, which was subsequently passed by voice vote in a session presided over by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal.

Prior to the bill's passage, independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana (Brahmanbaria-2) and opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Shahjahan Chowdhury (Chattogram-15) called on the government to further review the legislation based on public opinion.

Addressing the House, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury emphasized that the BSEC requires a reshuffle to ensure "transparency, accountability, and security of the shareholders."

He further assured lawmakers that the enactment of this law would bring stability to the capital market, stating that "any incident of looting will not take place during the BNP government tenure."

The Minister had originally placed the bill before the House on Tuesday, recommending it be sent to a special parliamentary committee for a one-day scrutiny period.

In the statement of objectives and reasons, the Minister noted that the amendment is designed to make the law "more suitable for present circumstances by allowing the appointment of experienced, skilled and knowledgeable individuals to its top positions."

He maintained that removing the age restriction is necessary "in the public interest to strengthen decision-making process in the sector."

The draft amendments were previously approved by the cabinet on April 23.