DHAKA: Election Commission decided to uphold provision of its authority to cancel one’s candidature in general election for violating electoral laws.

Election Commissioner Mohammad Shahnewaz came up with the disclosure while talking to reporters at EC secretariat in the city on Thursday.

The election office took the decision after facing huge criticism from different quarters.

Earlier on July 25, the EC sent a set of proposal to the law ministry for bringing changes in the RPO.

Later in a surprise move, the commission on July 29 decided to drop the provision of article 91E of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) which empowers it to cancel one’s candidature in parliamentary polls.

Besides, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakib Uddin Ahmed recently termed the clause 91 (E) of Representation of the People Order (RPO) as paradoxical.

Sources said EC changed its decision to drop the section 91 (e) amid criticism from different quarters and for not receiving government’s acceptance.

An officer of EC wishing anonymity told banglanews that the file of amendment of RPO was not sent to Law Ministry as it did not get green signal from the government.

As per the provision of article 91E, fresh election will be held if only one candidate remains in the electoral race in a constituency after the EC cancels candidatures of others for violating electoral laws.

BDST: 1508 HRS, AUG 29, 2013
RS/JCK eic@banglanews24.com