Election Commission proposes candidates can spend Tk 10 per voter

The proposals include disqualifying anyone declared a fugitive by any court from contesting a national election

The Election Commission (EC) has sent a set of reform proposals to the government to amend the Representation of the People Order (RPO).

The proposals include disqualifying anyone declared a fugitive by any court for the parliamentary election, setting the initial security deposit at Tk 50,000, and capping election expenses at Tk 10 per voter.

The reform proposals have been sent to the law ministry, Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah told journalists at the EC headquarters in Dhaka’s Agargaon on Wednesday.

The EC has been reviewing electoral law reforms for over a month in preparation for the 13th parliamentary election. The RPO amendment proposal was finalised with several changes following the review.

The approval of the proposals, based on the recommendations of the Electoral Reform Commission and discussions with the National Consensus Commission, will depend on the Advisory Council's decision.

The president will issue an amendment ordinance after legal vetting by the ministry and government approval.

The existing law already disqualifies a person from running if they have been sentenced to more than two years in any court.

The election commissioner also said that the EC has proposed increasing the security deposit from Tk 20,000 to Tk 50,000 when candidates submit their nomination papers.

Although recommended by the Electoral Reform Commission, the provision for online submission of nomination papers has not been included.