DHAKA, Aug 26, 2018 (BSS)- The Election Commission (EC) has started work on amending the election law ahead of the upcoming general election.
“The commission has begun work on amending the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972 ahead of the national polls through its 35th meeting today,” Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder told BSS after the meeting.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda presided over the meeting held at the Nirbachan Bhaban in city’s Agargaon, he said.
“There is no scope for amending the RPO in large scale right at this moment,” Mahbub said.
He said the commission is mulling over using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) on a limited scale in the upcoming general elections and the issue was discussed in today’s meeting. “But, no decision in this regard was made,” he added.
Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam said the EC is contemplating amendment to the RPO, 1972. “We discussed the matter in today’s meeting which was adjourned later … we will sit again on August 30,” he said.
Islam said the commission will send the amended law to the Ministry of Law for vetting. “If the law is approved, then the upcoming election will be held according to the new law. Otherwise the polls will be held as per the existing law,” he said.
Islam said there is no scope for amending the RPO in a large scale as the next session of the Jatiya Sangsad will begin on September 9 and it may be the last session of the 10th parliament.