The newly introduced option of casting ‘no’ vote failed to exert any impact on Monday’s national election as only .55 percent voters went for the alternative ignoring the candidates.
Having been advised by the dignitaries of the NGOs and civil society members, the Election Commission (EC) provided voters with the option of casting ‘no’ vote amid strong opposition and uproar from the political parties.
As per the provision of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), if voters think none of the contestants are worthy of their votes in a constituency they can seal the ballot with a ‘no’ and a fresh election will be held in that constituency if more than 50 percent ‘no’ votes are cast.
A total of 3,82,437 ‘no’ votes was cast in Monday’s election in 299 constituencies. Of it, only Rangamati district constituency saw a staggering 32,067 ‘no’ votes cast, which is the highest of all other legislative areas.
In 20 constituencies of Dhaka a total of 78,822 ‘no’ votes was cast while in the rural and remote areas the number of such votes was very meager compared to that of urban areas, particularly in the metropolitan cities.
However, before the election the EC had launched countrywide campaign urging voters to go for ‘no’ vote if they do not find any of the contesting candidates suitable in their constituencies.
The new provision was introduced in a bid to put pressure on political parties so that they would nominate competent and honest candidates to avert the ‘no’ vote disaster.
Categories: Bangla, Bangladesh, Bangladesh News, Bangladesh Politics, Daily Bangladesh News
