Election Commission to propose amendments to reduce 'complexities' of Boundary Delimitation Act

"We plan to set boundaries based on geography, location, and the census,” election commissioner says

The Election Commission, or EC, has proposed an amendment to the interim government to remove the existing “complexities” in the Delimitation of Constituencies Ordinance Act.

After a meeting on Thursday, Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah told reporters: "The committee tasked with drafting the amendment proposal has been asked to present its preparations in the next meeting.”

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin also attended the current commission's third meeting.

The meeting discussed 11 issues, including the Voters’ List Act and election monitoring policies, in addition to the Delimitation Act. A few committees were also formed.

After the nearly three-hour meeting, Sanaullah said: "The relevant committee will further review the Voter List Act.

"We believe more research is needed on the review of this. Thus, the relevant committee has been given more time to review.

“Meanwhile, the EC must wait for the final report from the relevant commission on electoral system reforms.”

WHY EC WANTS TO AMEND THE LAW

Sanaullah said, “People are more likely to move towards cities. If we take the population as the basis, seats will increase in cities and decrease in other areas.

“The commission feels this does not ensure proper representation.”

Regarding the law on Delimitation Act, he said: "Two aspects of this are causing problems. The delimitation has primarily been based on population.

"We want to redefine the boundaries considering geographical area, location, and the latest census report.

"There is a clerical error in a subsection of the law. As a result, the EC cannot take any action.

"We will highlight the issue and request a correction."

As for the EC sending its recommendations on the Delimitation Act to the law ministry, Sanaullah said: "Let it come to our commission first. Then, if deemed appropriate, the commission will send it."

As many as 248 applications have already been submitted in 41 constituencies for delimitation, he said.

“We are waiting for these to be resolved. We will also have to wait for the recommendations of the Reform Commission regarding the delimitations.”

When asked if the Election Commission’s amendment proposal might conflict with the Reform Commission’s recommendations, Sanaullah said, "It would be more useful if we were provided with input from here. There is no chance of conflict."

“We are in a changing situation. Reform is the demand of the people, and we are a part of it.”