Dhaka Correspondent:
The Election Commission (EC) has made its position clearer ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections. Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah has clearly stated that if the activities of any political party are suspended, their symbol will also be suspended. As a result, they will not be able to participate in the elections with their party symbol.
He made this comment while talking to reporters on Wednesday (September 3) at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon in the capital about the amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO).
He said, “If the activities of any party are suspended, their symbol will also be suspended. They will not be able to participate in the elections. However, time will tell whether anyone from that party can stand as an independent candidate without a symbol.”
Referring to the issue of the suspension of Awami League’s registration, which is already under discussion in the political arena, Commissioner Sanaullah said that if the suspension is not lifted, the Awami League will not be able to participate in the 13th National Parliament elections with the party symbol boat. Although he did not directly mention the name of the Awami League in his speech, he gave this explanation focusing on the party whose registration was suspended.
Commissioner Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah also mentioned several important changes in the Representation of the People Order (RPO) amendment. He mentioned that the armed forces have been listed as law enforcement forces. The responsibility of setting up polling stations has been given to the district election officers. People declared absconders by the court will not be able to participate in the elections.
People holding profitable positions or working in organizations with 50 percent or more shares in government organizations will not be able to become candidates. If information is concealed or false information is provided in the affidavit, the Election Commission can take action, and even an elected member of parliament can lose his position. The amount of the deposit for candidates has been increased from 20 thousand taka to 50 thousand taka.
After this statement of the Election Commissioner, new discussions have started in political circles. Especially since the suspension of the activities of the Awami League is in force, their participation in the next election has become uncertain. If the party’s registration is not restored in time, Awami League candidates without the boat symbol will only be able to participate as independent candidates.
Political analysts believe that Commissioner Sanaullah’s statement is a big message for the upcoming elections. Not only the Awami League, but all parties will have to be more careful about their organizational status and compliance with the registration law.