Bangladesh
EC Election Commission's powers not diminished but increased: EC Rasheda
Dhaka, May 22: Election Commissioner Rasheda Sultana claimed that as a result of the amendment of the existing election law by the Cabinet, the power of the EC has not been reduced but rather increased.
She said that according to the existing law, the EC can stop the polling of the entire constituencies like Gaibandha until the results are declared. This law has not changed. The EC sought the same powers even after the declaration of results in the new law. In that case, the commission can cancel the center election even if it is not based on seats. The power of EC has not diminished but has increased somewhat. However, giving the power to cancel the vote of the entire constituency even after the declaration of results would have helped in fair elections.
On Sunday (May 21), he said this to reporters at his office in the capital's Agargaon election building.
Rasheda Sultana said that the main clause in the Representation of People's Order (RPO) to stop the election is Section 91 'A'. In the A of that 91, which is there, it is before the election, until the election. There is a power given to the commission. In that capacity, the Commission can stop the election if any kind of irregularity, rigging comes to the attention of the Election Commission. It is in the law.
She said, "After the returning officer announced the results, complaints are often received when the results are sent to the commission. But if there is any complaint during this period, the commission has no power. The commission cannot do anything about that complaint. He has to give the gazette. If there is a major complaint, if there is a serious irregularity, if it is gazetted, then those who make the complaint will not suffer. A mistrust of the commission remains. It is at this point that we think that there is emptiness. The commission has no chance. We sent there a new proposal in the amendment, which goes to the Cabinet. We sent, A of 9, to which a sub-paragraph called A of A should be added. If there is any irregularity information or complaint, the commission will suspend the gazette notification. After the investigation, if the allegations are proved to be true, then the Commission would like to cancel the vote of the place where the irregularities have occurred. The Cabinet has given an approval in part by omitting the wording of the whole seat (the word 'entire') and dividing it into parts. We haven't seen the full copy yet."
