The Council of Advisers yesterday finally approved a second amendment to the revised Representation of People Order (RPO) to facilitate the political parties’ registration with the Election Commission by submitting their provisional party constitution for time constraints.
As per the latest changes in the politico-electoral rules, the political parties who will get registered with the Election Commission through submitting the provisional constitution will have to submit their ratified constitution to the EC within six months of the first sitting of the ninth parliament.
Chaired by Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, a meeting of the Council of Advisers approved the Representation of People Order (Second Amendment) 2008, taking into account the fact that “many political parties will not be able to amend their constitutions and submit those to the Election Commission during registration” as the last date for registration is October 15.
The Election Commission, after discussion with political parties, placed a proposal with the law ministry for bringing some amendments to the existing Representation of People Order (RPO).
Under new provision in the Article 90 of the RPO, the Election Commission may allow any political party to apply for registration if it has got provisional constitution containing certain provisions specified along with resolution of the party’s highest policy-making body–whatever may be called (working committee, central committee
and so on)–to the effect that the political party will submit ratified constitution within six months of the first sitting of the ninth (next) parliament.
The caretaker government also relaxed conditions for loan and bill defaulters to participate in the election through another amendment made to Article 12 of the RPO
The loan defaulters will now have to repay their loans 15 days before submission of nomination papers instead of earlier six months while utility bill defaulters repay bills 15 days before instead of earlier three months.
Under a new sub-clause interpolated into the RPO, anyone found outside the polling center with ballot papers or ballot book will be penalised.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim briefed newsmen about the outcome of the meeting.
Categories: Bangla, Bangladesh, Bangladesh News
