UNB, Dhaka
The Election Commission cannot apply themuch-talked-about section 91/e of the Representation of People Order (RPO) in the December 29 polls for time constraint, much to the relief of politicians who were in fear of falling under this sword of Damocles.
Talking to reporters at the Election Commission Secretariat Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said the commission received some allegations about the candidates under section 12 of the newly drafted RPO.
“There’s no allegation brought under the section 91/e of the RPO,” he told reporters replying to a question.
He said the commission would take steps according to the section 12 against candidates found guilty after they are elected.
Some political parties, including the BNP-led four-party alliance, demanded of the Election Commission to annul the RPO’s section 91/e, applying which the commission could cancel candidature if allegations were found against the candidates.
Replying to a question Sakhawat said it might not be possible to ensure casting vote by prisoners by postal ballot due to time constraints before the upcoming election.
“I think it will be difficult to make the arrangement for their (prisoners) voting. The postal ballots are also little in amount,” he said.
However, he said the prisoners have become voters remaining in prison for the first time that is also a great achievement for the commission.
Meanwhile, DIG (prisons) Commander Zakaria Khan submitted the voter list of a total of 68,000 prisoners in the country’s 67 prisons to the Election Commission to ensure their franchise.
Zakaria had a meeting with Election Commissioner Sakhawat Hossain at his office at about 2pm and handed over the prisoners’ voter list registered up to December 20.
When his attention was drawn about violation of the code of conduct, the Election Commissioner said steps would be taken against the violators where they would be found. “We’ll take notice of what violation is noteworthy.”
Sakhawat said people should mention where the candidates have been conducting their election campaign abiding by the electoral code of conduct.
Courtesy: nation.ittefaq.com
