Politicians differ over change of RPO
Saturday, 26 July 2008
The country's political leaders have voiced a mixed reaction to the move to amend the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972 instead of scrapping it, reports bdnews24.com.
Leaders of Awami League and Worker's Party supported the move, while a BNP-leader voiced concern Friday.
The government had proposed replacing the order with a new ordinance in the face of opposition from the political parties, but the Election Commission Thursday asked the government not to go ahead with the move.
Awami League presidium member Motia Chowdhury said: "What the government was proposing at first was unjust. The government has amended its mistake. The government was acting according to their whim. But, they must act accepting reality."
BNP joint secretary general Goyeshwar Chandra Roy said: "An unelected government does not have any jurisdiction to amend such laws. It must be done through the parliament."
"The Election Commission should refrain from meddling in these affairs further and concentrate on holding the parliamentary election first of all."
"We still do not support amendment to the RPO 1972 in such a way and in absence of the parliament."
Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon welcomed the government decision. He said: "No law passed by the parliament can be scrapped through an ordinance."
"At best it can be amended. We are happy that the government is amending the RPO 1972."
Leaders of Awami League and Worker's Party supported the move, while a BNP-leader voiced concern Friday.
The government had proposed replacing the order with a new ordinance in the face of opposition from the political parties, but the Election Commission Thursday asked the government not to go ahead with the move.
Awami League presidium member Motia Chowdhury said: "What the government was proposing at first was unjust. The government has amended its mistake. The government was acting according to their whim. But, they must act accepting reality."
BNP joint secretary general Goyeshwar Chandra Roy said: "An unelected government does not have any jurisdiction to amend such laws. It must be done through the parliament."
"The Election Commission should refrain from meddling in these affairs further and concentrate on holding the parliamentary election first of all."
"We still do not support amendment to the RPO 1972 in such a way and in absence of the parliament."
Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon welcomed the government decision. He said: "No law passed by the parliament can be scrapped through an ordinance."
"At best it can be amended. We are happy that the government is amending the RPO 1972."