Elections will not be held without voters and agents: EC Sanaullah

Election Commissioner Brigadier J. (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah said that the Election Commission (EC) is working to ensure that elections without voters and agents are not held in Bangladesh again. He said this while talking to reporters at the Election Commission building on Wednesday (September 3). Election Commissioner Md. Sanaullah said that the armed forces have been added to the list of law enforcement agencies in the amendment to the Representation of the People Order. In addition, all the powers to close or open the centers have been given to the Presiding Officer. In addition, the District Election Officer will set up the polling centers. He also said that this time the RPO has decided to cancel the provision of submitting nomination papers online. Regarding the election symbol, he said that if the activities of any party are suspended, then their symbol will also be suspended. They will not be able to participate in the election. However, time will tell whether they will be able to stand independently without a symbol. On the other hand, even if elected in a coalition, the candidates of their respective parties will vote with their party symbols. Stating that if an elected candidate provides false information, he said that if information is concealed or false information is provided in the affidavit, the EC can take action later and if found guilty, that person will also lose his MP post. Regarding the eligibility to participate in the election, he said that people declared absconders by the court will not be able to participate in the election. In addition, people holding profitable positions and working in organizations where the government has 50 percent or more shares will also not be able to participate in the election. Regarding EVMs and vote deposit, he further said that this time all provisions related to EVMs have been canceled. Postal ballots will be symbolic ballots and the deposit amount has been increased from Tk 20,000 to Tk 50,000. He further said that if there is a single candidate in a seat, then there will be a ‘no’ vote in the ballot of that seat.