EC to restore ‘No Vote’ option, abolish EVMs

Staff Reporter :

In a move aimed at ensuring the forthcoming 13th national parliamentary election is free, fair, and acceptable to all, the Election Commission (EC) has proposed amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) to reinstate the ‘no vote’ option in national polls and abolish provisions for the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah announced the proposals on Monday following a commission meeting at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.

“If there is only one candidate in a constituency, they will have to contest against the ‘no vote’ option. Should ‘no’ receive the highest number of votes, the election in that constituency will be re-held,” Sanaullah explained.

The proposed RPO amendment also seeks to restore the EC’s authority to annul results for an entire constituency in the event of electoral irregularities.

In addition, Sanaullah revealed that 22 new political parties seeking registration have passed the commission’s initial screening. A final decision will be made following field-level verification.