The Election Commission (EC) will now have the authority to cancel results in one or more constituencies, or even the entire general election, if deemed necessary. The provision, reinstated through proposed amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972, was confirmed by Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah at a press briefing on Monday evening at the EC headquarters in Agargaon.
The amendments, finalised earlier in the day after a day-long commission meeting, also include the restoration of the ‘No’ vote system, the abolition of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and stricter guidelines for electoral conduct.
Key Changes in the RPO:
- Expanded EC Authority: The commission can suspend or cancel elections in one, multiple, or all constituencies if irregularities are found. Media personnel may remain present throughout vote counting but cannot leave mid-process.
- ‘No’ Vote Returns: Even if only one candidate is running, they must secure votes to be declared the winner. If no candidate secures victory after a second round, the remaining candidate will be declared elected.
- Tie-Breaker Reform: In the event of a tie, re-election will be held instead of determining the winner by lottery.
- Alliance Elections: Parties in an alliance must contest under their own election symbols, preserving individual party identity.
- Election Spending & Donations: Candidates’ spending audits will be more specific, and the limit for both personal and institutional donations has been set at Tk 50 lakh, with mandatory bank transactions and tax return documentation.
- AI Misinformation Control: Provisions introduced to act against the use of artificial intelligence to spread false information or defamatory content by candidates, parties, organisations, or media.
- Political Party Registration: Clear provisions to suspend a party’s registration if its activities are halted or the party is banned.
Sanaullah added that the amendments also detail penalties for negligence by election officials, with investigations to be completed within three working days. The final draft will be sent to the Ministry of Law next week for legislative processing.
