NEXT NAT’L POLLS

EC to sit on August 30 again

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday could not reach any decision on bringing amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) and the introduction of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the 11th parliamentary poll.

The commission has only two months to announce the poll schedule and amend the RPO, with the latter being necessary for the introduction of EVMs in the next general election.

Earlier, the EC had said it would not introduce EVMs in general elections without an agreement in this regard among all political parties. However, the introduction of EVMs in the next parliamentary poll is still a matter of discussion at the commission's meetings.

At the same time, the EC said it would not hold any other meeting with the political parties before the next election.

After a meeting at the Election Bhaban in the capital yesterday, the election commissioner Rafiqul Islam said they talked about the possibility to introduce EVMs in the next general election.

He also said they had only discussed about the various provisions of the RPO and were not sure whether it would be possible for them to send the amendment proposals to the upcoming parliamentary session beginning on September 9.

The EC will again hold a meeting on August 30 to further discuss the RPO amendment. Earlier, the commission held two other meetings on the same issue.

Soon after the meeting, Rafiqul Islam told journalists that they had started to talk about on bringing amendments to the RPO and the introduction of EVMs. “The decision on bringing amendments to the RPO will be taken after several more meetings. Only then would it be possible to say which provisions would be amended,” he said.  

“Right now, nothing can be said about what sort of amendments would be made to the RPO. We can't confirm it would be possible to send any proposals for bringing amendments in the upcoming parliamentary session,” he also said.

“We don’t want to take any decision in haste. We want to make a good law. If possible, we'll send proposals to the law ministry. If everything is all right, the ministry will send it to Parliament. But nothing can be said right now,” he added.

About the introduction of EVMs, the election commissioner said the meeting also discussed the issue of introducing EVMs in the next national election.

The previous EC, led by Shamsul Huda, also tried to introduce EVMs in the parliamentary poll, but could not do so as the political parties could not reach a consensus. However, the current EC introduced EVMs in the local government elections with good results. The EC is gradually expanding the use of EVMs in local polls.

The current EC, led by KM Nurul Huda, said it would not introduce EVMs unless all political parties agreed on its use. But the time is very short for bringing about amendments to the RPO as the amendment bill has to be passed in the parliamentary session. The upcoming session will begin on September 9 and is likely to be the last session of the current government.

After taking office, the current EC published a roadmap in July 2017 on how the 11th parliamentary poll would be held. The roadmap sets seven goals including a review of the election laws and amendments, delimitation of the constituencies, making a flawless voter list, the setting up of election centres and registration of new political parties. The commission has completed some of those tasks. Now, it has just a month in hand to complete the preparations for the next general election.

The tenure of the current government would end on January 28 next year, as the first session of the 10th parliament had started on January 19, 2014. Accordingly, the EC will have to announce the election schedule 90 days before the end of the term of Parliament. So, schedule date is likely to be announced at the end of October or the beginning of November, and the commission will have to hold the 11th parliamentary poll by January 28, 2019.

 

 

 

 

NEXT NATL POLLS

EC to sit on August 30 again

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday could not reach any decision on bringing amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) and the introduction of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the 11th parliamentary poll. The commission has only two months to announce the poll schedule and amend the RPO, with the latter being necessary for the introduction of EVMs in the next general election. Earlier, the EC had said it would not introduce EVMs in general elections without an agreement in this regard among all political parties. However, the introduction of EVMs in the next parliamentary poll is still a matter of discussion at the commissions meetings. At the same time, the EC said it would not hold any other meeting with the political parties before the next election. After a meeting at the Election Bhaban in the capital yesterday, the election commissioner Rafiqul Islam said they talked about the possibility to introduce EVMs in the next general election. He also said they had only discussed about the various provisions of the RPO and were not sure whether it would be possible for them to send the amendment proposals to the upcoming parliamentary session beginning on September 9. The EC will again hold a meeting on August 30 to further discuss the RPO amendment. Earlier, the commission held two other meetings on the same issue. Soon after the meeting, Rafiqul Islam told journalists that they had started to talk about on bringing amendments to the RPO and the introduction of EVMs. The decision on bringing amendments to the RPO will be taken after several more meetings. Only then would it be possible to say which provisions would be amended, he said. Right now, nothing can be said about what sort of amendments would be made to the RPO. We cant confirm it would be possible to send any proposals for bringing amendments in the upcoming parliamentary session, he also said. We dont want to take any decision in haste. We want to make a good law. If possible, well send proposals to the law ministry. If everything is all right, the ministry will send it to Parliament. But nothing can be said right now, he added. About the introduction of EVMs, the election commissioner said the meeting also discussed the issue of introducing EVMs in the next national election. The previous EC, led by Shamsul Huda, also tried to introduce EVMs in the parliamentary poll, but could not do so as the political parties could not reach a consensus. However, the current EC introduced EVMs in the local government elections with good results. The EC is gradually expanding the use of EVMs in local polls. The current EC, led by KM Nurul Huda, said it would not introduce EVMs unless all political parties agreed on its use. But the time is very short for bringing about amendments to the RPO as the amendment bill has to be passed in the parliamentary session. The upcoming session will begin on September 9 and is likely to be the last session of the current government. After taking office, the current EC published a roadmap in July 2017 on how the 11th parliamentary poll would be held. The roadmap sets seven goals including a review of the election laws and amendments, delimitation of the constituencies, making a flawless voter list, the setting up of election centres and registration of new political parties. The commission has completed some of those tasks. Now, it has just a month in hand to complete the preparations for the next general election. The tenure of the current government would end on January 28 next year, as the first session of the 10th parliament had started on January 19, 2014. Accordingly, the EC will have to announce the election schedule 90 days before the end of the term of Parliament. So, schedule date is likely to be announced at the end of October or the beginning of November, and the commission will have to hold the 11th parliamentary poll by January 28, 2019.