EC sends RPO amendment to law ministry for vetting
A gazette will be published once the draft is cleared by the ministry
The Election Commission (EC) has sent the draft Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972, Amendment Ordinance 2025 to the law ministry for vetting before its finalisation.
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed the development yesterday (2 September), saying the draft was sent in the morning and will be published in the form of a gazette once cleared by the ministry.
Earlier on 11 August, following the commission's ninth meeting, Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah had detailed key decisions regarding the RPO.
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He stated that the new provisions would allow for a "no vote" option in cases where there is only a single candidate to prevent uncontested elections. Additionally, the amendment would permit allied parties to use their individual party symbols.
The revised RPO also formally includes the armed forces — the army, navy, and air force — under the category of law enforcement agencies, giving the commission the authority to deploy them to maintain order.
Furthermore, provisions regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been removed, as the EC has decided against their use.
The draft also clarifies penalties for election officials who are negligent in their duties, requiring them to be investigated and disciplined within three days.
According to Commissioner Sanaullah, the revised RPO reinstates the EC's authority to suspend or cancel election results for one or more centres, or even an entire constituency. This power, which had been limited, has been restored to ensure the commission can take decisive action.
