Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad on Monday said the Election Commission, if necessary, will explain its stance over much-talked-about proposed amendment to clause 91 (E) of the Representation of the People Order (RPO).
"We earlier clarified our stance. We'll explain our stance again, if necessary," he told reporters at the EC secretariat when his attention was drawn to Jatiya Party chairman Ershad's remark that political parties have lost confidence in the EC. The CEC said they want to hold the parliamentary elections with the participation of all political parties and sought cooperation of all quarters.
The EC faces strong criticism following its move to exclude the clause 91 (E) from the RPO, which empowers the commission to cancel candidature in case of serious violation of electoral laws and codes.
CEC Kazi Rakibuddin said that with a view to minimizing mistakes and flaws in the arrangement of the 10th parliamentary elections, the EC' s meeting on Monday decided that the training programmes for its officials will start soon.
The meeting also discussed the arrangement of the next general election due in January 2014 in line with the Constitution. About the overdue election to the bifurcated Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), the CEC said the Local Government Ministry is now making correction of the demarcation of wards. "The ministry did not inform us of any development yet. If they complete their tasks, we can announce the election schedule after the Eid-ul-Fitr," he added.
About the High Court's recent verdict declaring illegal the EC registration granted to Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami as a political party, Rakibuddin said they are yet to receive the certified copy of the HC judgment.
In the wake of strong criticism, the CEC on July 30 came up with a clarification as to why they want to exclude the authority to cancel any candidature for national elections, saying that the provision is not applicable to be exercised. "The provision is 'not applicable' and 'meaningless," he said.
Earlier, on July 28, an EC meeting decided to propose abolishing clause 91 (E) of the RPO, which was incorporated in 2008 ahead of the ninth parliamentary elections. The EC recently sent a proposal to the Law Ministry for vetting on the reforms they have made on the RPO and passing it in Parliament for enactment.