Fugitive candidates barred under revised RPO

 The weekly meeting of the Council of Adviser was held at the Chief Adviser's Office in the capital's Tejgaon area on Thursday with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair.     -PID

The Advisory Council has approved a revised Representation of the People Order stipulating that fugitives cannot stand in the next parliamentary elections. The approval came on Thursday at a council meeting presided over by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus in Tejgaon.

Law Advisor Asif Nazrul shed light on the key amendments at the Foreign Service Academy, bdnews24 reports.

"The important amendment in the RPO removes provisions related to EVMs [electronic voting machines]. Law enforcement definitions now include the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other defence personnel. Crucially, fugitives have been declared ineligible to contest in elections."

Asked to clarify who qualifies as a fugitive, Nazrul said: "A fugitive is declared so by a court. If the court summons you, publishes a notice in newspapers, and you fail to appear, the court declares you fugitive during the trial." The revised RPO also introduces transparency in candidate finances.

"Candidates must now submit affidavits detailing domestic and foreign income sources and assets. This information will be published on the Election Commission's website for public scrutiny. The chief advisor has directed that these provisions be legally binding."

Election procedures have also been updated: candidate deposits have risen from Tk 20,000 to Tk 50,000, and a "No" vote will now be possible in single-candidate constituencies to prevent rigged elections.

Also, even alliance-affiliated candidates must be voted under their own party symbol, clarifying voter intent.

Postal voting is introduced for overseas Bangladeshis and election officials, supported by IT-enabled registration. Media access during vote counting has also been ensured.

Campaign financing rules have been tightened: donations exceeding Tk 50,000 must be routed through banks, with the donor providing tax return documentation.

The revised RPO also empowers the Election Commission to annul voting for an entire constituency if irregularities are detected.

"Previously, only results at a particular polling station could be invalidated. Now, if the EC finds serious misconduct in a constituency, it can cancel all votes there. This power has been granted to ensure fair elections," Nazrul said.