ZCZC
BSS-25
CABINET-RPO-EVM
Cabinet clears ways for EVM use in next poll
DHAKA, Oct 29, 2018 (BSS) – The Cabinet today gave its final approval for
use of electronic voting machine (EVM) in the next general elections,
amending the Representation of the People Order (RPO) of 1972.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the weekly meeting of the cabinet
which approved the proposed amendment to allow the independent Election
Commission to use the EVM.
“The Election Commission may now use the EVM in the next general election
through the amendment to the RPO,” cabinet secretary Md. Shafiul Alam told a
media briefing at the Bangladesh Secretariat after the meeting.
He said the draft “Representation of the People Order (Amendment) Act, 2018”
would come into effect after proclamation of the ordinance by the President.
The amended law, he said, simultaneously would allow candidates to submit
nomination papers online for contesting from any constituency as per rule set
by the Election Commission.
The cabinet secretary said under the new law, loan defaulters could
reschedule their loan at any time before submitting his or her nomination
paper while previously they were required to reschedule the loans seven days
ahead of filing the nomination papers.
MORE/AKH/AR/1705 hrs