Staff Reporter:
Leaders of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have expressed apprehension following the government’s approval of the draft Representation of the People Order (RPO) Amendment Ordinance on Thursday.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed stated, “From our party’s perspective, we will propose that no changes be made. We believe it should remain as it was before.”
He went on to explain, “If smaller parties within an alliance are prevented from using the symbol of the larger party, then the very purpose of being part of that alliance will be lost.” Salahuddin also mentioned that he would provide further remarks once he had reviewed the final version of the amended RPO.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar criticised both the government and the Election Commission for proceeding with the amendments without engaging political parties or the public in prior discussions.
“Had the government sought the opinions of political parties and the public before making changes to the RPO, their perspectives would have been properly reflected,” he said, warning that certain parties could encounter difficulties as a result of the new amendments.
The interim government endorsed the draft RPO Amendment Ordinance, introducing a range of significant reforms intended to enhance transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
The ordinance received approval during a meeting of the Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
