FE Report
Shushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) on Saturday termed 'incomplete' and 'confusing' the proposal made by the Election Commission (EC) for an amendment to Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972.
Besides, the EC paid no attention to the proposals put forward by different political parties and organisations at a series of meetings it held recently, Shujan leaders said.
The civil society platform made the observations at a virtual press conference on "Election Commission's RPO Amendment Proposal".
Presided over by Shujan vice-president Abdul Matin, Shujan secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar presented the keynote paper at the programme. It was also addressed, among others, by Shujan executive committee members Dr Shahdeen Malik, Dr Tofail Ahmed and Prof Robaet Ferdous.
On July 20 this year, the EC sent an amendment proposal on 17 clauses of Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972 to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs for vetting.
Making his observation on the RPO amendment proposal, Dr Majumdar said, "Proposals for amending three of the 17 clauses are very important but two of them somewhat confused us."
Terming the proposal incomplete, he said the commission held a series of meetings with different political parties and civil society organisations but recommendations, placed by those groups, are barely reflected in the proposal.
He said the most important proposal of the EC is to enhance its power to cancel vote at a particular centre or an entire constituency in case of obstruction in polling by external forces.
Besides, under existing law, the EC has a little to do after announcement of polling results at a centre, he said, adding that in the proposal, the EC wants to challenge the vote count even after the results are published, which may backfire if subjected to abuse of power.
Though it is mandatory for election candidates to submit TIN certificates and income tax returns as per the current law, he said, proposing it in another clause may create confusion among the election candidates.
There are already strict laws to conduct a free and fair election but the problem predominantly lies in non-execution of constitutional power by the EC, he added.
Majumdar also reiterated Shujan's proposal for reinstating the caretaker government to conduct the election.
Dr Ahmed suggested that the commission secure the voting rights of expatriate Bangladeshis through introducing postal ballots. There are many examples around the world regarding to postal voting, he mentioned.
"Many of the voters from middle-class families are now less interested to go to polling centres being insecure about violence," he said, adding that the EC should inspire public confidence in exercising their voting rights.
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