Fugitives barred from polls, 'no vote' reintroduced as RPO Amendment Ordinance gets nod
All political donations above Tk50,000 mandatory through banking channels
Highlights:
- Alliance candidates must run under their own party's symbol
- EVMs abolished; all future polls to be held with ballot papers
- Fugitive convicts barred from voting or contesting elections
- Candidates must publicly declare all income and assets
- 'No Vote' option reintroduced for single-candidate races
- Donations above Tk50,000 must be made through banks
- Election Commission empowered to cancel results for entire constituencies
The interim government has approved the draft of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) Amendment Ordinance, introducing major reforms to ensure greater transparency and accountability in elections.
Key changes include barring fugitive convicts from voting or contesting, abolishing electronic voting machines (EVMs), bringing the armed forces under the definition of law enforcement agencies, and requiring all political donations above Tk50,000 to be made through banking channels.
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The amendment also mandates that candidates contest national elections under their own party's symbol, even when part of an electoral alliance.
The ordinance was approved today (23 October) at a meeting of the Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
At a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said, "The objective of these amendments is to make the electoral process more transparent, competitive, and accountable."
'No Vote' option reintroduced
In a move seen as empowering voters, the amendment reintroduces the 'No Vote' option.
"Earlier, if there was only one candidate, voters had no choice. Now, voters can reject the candidate by choosing not to vote. If the majority of voters do so, re-election will be held in that seat," the law adviser explained.
The nomination deposit has been set at Tk50,000.
EVMs abolished, ballot voting returns
"All clauses concerning EVMs have been scrapped. Future elections will be conducted entirely through ballot papers," said Asif Nazrul.
He added that the definition of "law enforcement agencies" has been expanded to include the army, navy, and air force, ensuring clarity in their roles during elections.
Candidates' wealth disclosures mandatory
District election officers are now empowered to appoint election officials at the local level.
To enhance transparency, candidates will now be required to disclose all sources of income and assets, both domestic and foreign, through affidavits.
"The chief adviser has directed that these details be made public on a website so citizens can see who earns from where," Asif Nazrul added.
Tighter rules on funding and voting access
To ensure transparency in political financing, donations exceeding Tk50,000 must now be made through banking channels and declared in tax returns.
Expatriates and individuals involved in election duties—such as presiding officers or security personnel—will be able to vote through postal ballots.
Adviser Asif Nazrul added that the new framework ensures media access and monitoring during vote counting.
The amendment also strengthens the Election Commission's authority, allowing it to cancel results for an entire constituency in cases of widespread irregularities, not just at individual polling centres.
"We want citizens to regain confidence in elections," Asif Nazrul said. "These changes are a step towards building a more democratic and transparent electoral culture."
