The Election Commission (EC) has decided to reinstate the ‘no vote’ provision for only in constituencies with a single candidate under the proposed amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) ahead of the upcoming national election, said Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Monday.
“There will be no 'no vote' everywhere, if there is a single candidate, there will be a 'no vote' but in case of alliance, votes must be cast in the symbol of one's own party,” he said while speaking at a press briefing held at the Nirbachan Bhaban on Monday evening.
The Election Commission also took a decision to remove the provision of the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), he said.
Earlier in the day, a meeting was held at Nirbachan Bhaban, with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, in the chair. The session was a continuation of the Commission's ninth meeting.
The meeting also decided to include the armed forces under the definition of law enforcement agencies and this will allow the commission to deploy members of the army, navy, and air force for maintaining law and order just like other forces.
The current Election Commission had stated that they would not use EVMs. Now, it has been removed from the RPO, he said.
Referring to EVMs, Sanaullah said, “Since this Commission has already decided not to use EVMs, all related provisions have been removed from the draft amendments. We have also specified penalties for dereliction of duty by election officials. Any such matter must be investigated and reported to the EC within three working days.”
Election schedule likely in early December: Sanaullah
The ‘no vote’ option was first introduced in the 2008 national election but was later scrapped in the 9th Parliament.
The Election Reform Commission had also recommended its reinstatement in the current reform proposals, he said.
It also said even if candidates contest elections under an alliance, they must use their respective party’s electoral symbol, he added.
"If there is only one candidate anywhere, they will not be elected unopposed. Overall, it is not about no votes. If there is one candidate in a constituency, they must still go to the election and they must compete. If they are elected again with no votes, then there will be no votes anymore. At that point, the individual, the candidate will be elected,” said EC Sanaullah.
No comment on EC reconstitution demand, says Commissioner Sanaullah
The proposed RPO reforms will be sent to the relevant ministry next week, he added.
If approved by the government, it will be promulgated through an amendment ordinance. Any additional consensus recommendations from the reform commission may also be included later, he said.