Staff Reporter:
The interim government yesterday published the Representation of the People Order (Second Amend-ment) Ordinance, 2025, introducing extensive reforms to the country’s electoral framework.
The amendment, signed by President Md Shahabuddin, came into immediate effect.
The new ordinance focuses on regulating postal ballots, streamlining vote counting, and strengthening the enforcement and adjudication powers of election officials. It also enhances the judicial authority and accountability of specific polling officers.
Under the amendment, a new Article 27 stipulates that postal ballots will be invalid if unmarked, marked for multiple symbols, ambiguously marked, received late, or missing the voter’s declaration.
Article 37A sets a formal procedure for counting postal ballots, designating the Returning Officer’s of-fice as the official polling station for this purpose. The Returning Officer must appoint a Presiding Of-ficer and, if needed, Polling Officers to conduct the count in the presence of contesting candidates or their agents.
The results must be authenticated and submitted to the Returning Officer, who will then include them in the constituency’s consolidated results under Article 37.
The amendment also introduces significant changes to enforcement and adjudication of electoral offens-es. A new Article 91AA establishes the Electoral Enquiry and Adjudication Committee (EEAC), em-powered to conduct summary trials for offenses under Articles 73, 75, 77, and clause (3) of Article 91B.
The Committee is granted the powers of a first-class Magistrate under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, and may refer other offenses to the competent court.
Police and security officials, including the Superintendent of Police, Police Commissioner, and Officer-in-Charge, are now required to provide necessary assistance and striking force for election duties and EEAC functions.
Failure to comply “without reasonable cause” may be considered misconduct. Administrative support is also mandatory, with Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers responsible for aiding election officials and the EEAC in carrying out their duties.
The overhaul is aimed at ensuring more transparent, accountable, and efficient electoral processes across Bangladesh.
