RPO reform uncertain ahead of national polls

The election commission is uncertain whether it can bring amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) ahead of the 11th parliamentary elections, reports UNB.

"After receiving the review (report) over proposed amendments from the (EC's) subcommittee, it will be clear if the RPO amendments can be made effective by passing in this (10th) parliament," said EC secretary Helalauddin Ahmed while briefing reporters after a meeting of the commission on Thursday.

He made the remark responding to a question whether the commission will get time to make the RPO amendment passed in the 10th parliament.

When the draft amendment is finalised, the commission will be able to say whether the amendment could be passed in the next session of parliament, he added.

The EC is yet to finalise the draft amendment to RPO though it was supposed to do this by December last as per its roadmap prepared for the next general election.

The EC's 'subcommittee to reform electoral laws and rules' placed a set of proposals regarding the RPO amendment in the EC's meeting on 9 April.

The commission in its meeting on Thursday discussed the proposals and sent those to the subcommittee for further review.

The EC secretary said the subcommittee brought 35 amendment proposals for the RPO and the commissioners examined those in the meeting. The commission asked the subcommittee to review the proposals further.

Helaluddin said though no timeframe was fixed for the subcommittee to place the review report, it was requested to do it as early as possible.