JS passes amended RPO

The Jatiya Sangsad (JS) today passed
Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill 2023 today expecting the
amended law to ensure free, fair and acceptable national elections.

Law Minister Anisul Huq moved the Bill in the House with Jatiya Sangsad
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.

Opposition lawmakers including Jatiya Party’s Fakhrul Imam, Pir Fazlur
Rahman, Rawshan Ara Manan and Gono Forum lawmaker Mokabbir Khan brought some
amendments to the Bill.

“The proposed act is essential to establish a strong foundation for holding a
free, fair and impartial national election,” the minister said while placing
the Bill.

Criticizing the proposed Bill, opposition lawmaker Fakhrul Imam of
Mymensingh-8 said that the new amended Bill could restrict the liberty of the
election commission (EC) as the new law could be exercised on the particular
polling centers where the violence would take place instead of all the
polling centers in a particular constituency.

Ahead of the national elections, the opposition lawmakers said the law will
bar the EC to use its absolute power. (BSS)