The upcoming 13th parliamentary elections have been the most talked about topic in the country for quite some time.
One of the main goals of the formation of the interim government after the coup last year was to hold a free, fair, and acceptable election.
Keeping this goal in mind, the interim government has been carrying out various initiatives since its inception.
As the preparations of the Election Commission (EC) are progressing, so are the preparations of political parties and alliances.
Experience of past parliamentary elections and in the changing political situation, the need for amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), the electoral law, has become an extremely urgent matter.
The Advisory Council of the Interim Government on Thursday approved the revised draft of the RPO.
According to the revised draft, the armed forces (army, navy and air force) will serve as law enforcement agencies during the parliamentary elections, and no fugitive accused in a case will be able to become a candidate.
The coalition’s partner parties will have to vote on their own symbols, and some other changes have been made in the election, including a ‘no vote’ system.
Other changes made in the approved revised RPO draft include the abolition of provisions related to the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs). After 16 years, the armed forces are going to regain this power.
The ongoing discord between political parties is not good news. The 13th parliamentary elections are going to be held in February as per the schedule announced by the government.
People will regain their right to vote and elect their preferred representatives. But it goes without saying that the current situation in the political arena is raising concerns about that.
We hope that this ongoing fear will be dispelled. Political parties will rise above party interests and reach a consensus considering the greater interests of the country. Otherwise, this disunity will undoubtedly harm Bangladesh.
