New ordinance arms EC to act against negligent poll officers

New ordinance includes law-enforcing personnel as election officers, ensuring “accountability for election-related negligence”

Fresh ordinances have been promulgated introducing tougher penalties for election officials found guilty of negligence or irregularities, while also empowering the Election Commission to resolve disputes with the government.

On Sunday, the law ministry published the gazette for both the Election Commission Secretariat (Amendment) Ordinance and the Election Officer Special Provisions (Amendment) Ordinance.

These amendments were finalised during an Advisory Council meeting on Sept 18, with the parliamentary polls in sight. After presidential approval, the ordinances were issued to amend the 2009 and 1991 laws.

The ordinance includes people from law-enforcing agencies and other relevant staff as election officers, such as presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, and polling officers, with law enforcers in charge of maintaining law and order.

It also outlines the procedures for ensuring punishment for election officers who “fail to perform their duties or act negligently”.

According to the new regulation, any election officer failing to execute election orders or instructions will be considered guilty of misconduct and liable for punishment.