JS passes amended RPO

The Jatiya Sangsad (JS) on Tuesday passed Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill 2023 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, reports BSS. 

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.