During the upcoming national election, the Election Commission (EC) can discard the results of all 300 constituencies if it deems necessary. The EC has finalised the draft of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) Ordinance 2025, which includes a series of amendments.
These changes include bringing the armed forces and coast guard under the definition of law enforcement agencies during elections, placing the DIGs of the agencies under EC control after the election schedule is announced, and reintroducing the "No Vote" option in constituencies with a single candidate.
Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Sanaullah shared this information with journalists after a commission meeting at the Election Commission headquarters in the capital's Agargaon on Monday.
He also stated that the draft would be sent to the adjoining ministry for vetting within this week.
Sanaullah did not confirm the exact number of articles and sub-articles amended.
He mentioned that although the RPO draft has been finalised, some decisions, such as the number of constituencies a candidate can contest or the educational qualifications required for candidacy, may still change based on the final decision of the National Consensus Commission.
He stated that the EC had agreed to include the army, navy, air force, and coast guard as part of the law enforcement agencies. A consensus was also reached on placing police DIGs under the EC's authority after the election schedule is announced.
Regarding the re-introduction of the "No Vote" option, Sanaullah said it would only apply in constituencies with a single candidate. In such cases, if "No Vote" receives more votes, the election will be held again.
However, if the same situation arises again and "No Vote" still wins, the lone candidate will be declared elected.
Sanaullah emphasised that alliance formation is a political right, and any party can pursue that. However, if a candidate runs in an election under an alliance, they must use their own party's symbol.
He also said that since there is no plan to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), all related provisions in the RPO have been removed.
The amended draft gives the EC the authority to suspend elections not just at a single polling centre in case of irregularities, but across multiple centres or even an entire constituency if necessary.
Previously, there was ambiguity about what would happen if a party's activities were suspended. The EC has now clarified that if a party's operations are suspended, its election symbol will also be suspended.
The limit for individual donations in elections has been raised from BDT 1 million to BDT 5 million, and for institutional donations from BDT 5 million to BDT 5 million as well. Donors must disclose this amount in their tax returns.
In cases where two candidates receive the same number of votes, the previous method of selecting the winner by lottery has been abolished. A re-election will be held instead.
The EC will have the authority to prosecute candidates for submitting false affidavits at any time within the five-year parliamentary term. If proven, the member may be removed from their position. However, after the term ends, the EC will no longer have jurisdiction over the matter.
The RPO amendments also include provisions allowing approved election observers and journalists to enter polling centres.
Journalists will also be allowed to be present during vote counting, but only if they stay for the entire process. They will not be allowed to leave midway.
22 political parties passed preliminary screening for registration
Out of 143 parties that applied for new registration last March, none initially provided complete information. After being given 15 days to rectify this, 89 parties submitted the required documents. Of them, 22 parties have passed the initial screening. Field-level verification of their information will now take place.
The parties are:
- Amjanatar Dal
- Bangladesh Ganatantrik Party (BGP)
- Bangladesh Sanskarbadi Party (BRP)
- Bangladesh Nizami Islam Party
- Bangladesh Socialist Party (Marxist)
- Moulik Bangla
- Bangladesh Justice and Development Party
- Jatiyo Janata Party
- Janatar Dol
- Janata Party Bangladesh
- Bangladesh Amjanogon Party
- National Citizen Party (NCP)
- Bangladesh Jatiyo League
- Bhasani Janashakti Party
- Bangladesh Bekar Mukti Parishad
- Bangladesh Communist Party (Marxist) - CPB(M)
- Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD – Shahjahan Siraj)
- Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam
- Bangladesh Bekar Samaj
- Bangladesh Solution Party
- Notun Bangladesh Party
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