Staff Correspondent:

The interim government has officially promulgated the Representation of the People Ordinance (RPO) Amendment Ordinance, 2025, introducing several significant provisions ahead of the forthcoming national elections.

Among the key measures are the disqualification of individuals declared absconding or fugitives by a court from voting, as well as a requirement that candidates contesting under alliances must do so using their own party symbols.

The ordinance was published in the gazette by the Ministry of Law on Monday, with the announcement becoming public on Tuesday. The draft of the amendment was given principled approval at the Advisory Council meeting on 23 October.

THE REVISED ORDINANCE INCORPORATES SEVERAL NEW PROVISIONS FOR THIS ELECTION CYCLE, INCLUDING:

*Court-declared fugitives are ineligible to vote.

*Law enforcement is now formally defined to include the armed forces, navy, air force, and coast guard.

*The ‘No’ vote has been reinstated for constituencies with a single candidate.

*In the event of a tie, a re-run election will replace the previous lottery system.

*Candidates of political alliances must contest under their own party symbols.

*The election deposit has been set at Tk 50,000.

*Parties violating the code of conduct may be fined up to Tk 150,000.

*Postal voting is now allowed, with IT support, for expatriates, government employees, and detained domestic voters.

*The Election Commission (EC) can annul the votes for an entire constituency in case of serious irregularities.

*Misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) is now classified as an electoral offence.

*Providing false information in affidavits may result in post-election sanctions, even for elected candidates.

NOTABLE ARTICLES IN THE AMENDED ORDINANCE:

Article 2: Expands the definition of law enforcement to include military and coast guard personnel.

Article 12: Disqualifies fugitives or absconding persons from standing for parliament. Those holding executive positions in educational institutions or “profitable” executive roles are also ineligible. Affidavits must disclose all domestic and foreign income sources and the latest tax returns, with the EC empowered to act on false information post-election.

Article 19: Introduces the ‘No’ vote for single-candidate constituencies. It will not apply in repeat elections.

Article 20: Alliance candidates must contest using their own registered party symbols.

Article 21: Election agents must be registered voters in the relevant constituency.

Article 26: Provisions for voting using EVMs have been repealed.

Article 27: Introduces postal voting for expatriates, government employees, and domestic voters unable to vote in person.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS INCLUDE:

*Media personnel are now permitted at polling stations and during vote counting.

*The maximum electoral expenditure has been set at Tk 10 per voter, including party spending, and donations must be clearly disclosed on party websites.

*Transfers of election officials must include consultation with the Deputy Inspector General of Police.

*Article 73: Defines offences related to false information, disinformation, rumours, and AI misuse.

*Article 90: Provides for suspension of party registration and electoral symbols in case of violations.

*Article 91: Grants the EC authority to annul votes at polling centres or entire constituencies in case of malpractice. The article also allows fines of up to Tk 150,000 and six months’ imprisonment for breaches of the code of conduct. Parties, as well as executive and judicial officials, are subject to penalties. The EC may also take action post-election for false affidavits.

The amendments are aimed at strengthening transparency, ensuring accountability and tightening regulations on candidates, parties, and the voting process ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election.