After toying with options, the Election Commission has finally decided to retain powers to disqualify candidates who violate poll regulations and code of conduct.
Election Commissioner Md Shah Nawaz told media persons on Thursday, the Election Commission will not recommend any amendment to the Section 91 (E) of the Representation of the People Order (RPO).
“We were right in deciding that EC should give up powers to disqualify candidates. But we have changed our mind in deference to the wish of the people,” he said.
Last month, the Election Commission had decided to give up powers to disqualify candidates violating poll regulations, saying they were “not implementable and unrealistic”.
But the Commission came in for much criticism from political parties and twice explained its positions. But after month of pushing ahead with its position, the EC has finally decided not to press for the same.
It is to be recalled here that former Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda had lamented the present CEC’s resolve to give up the power which they has achieved after a lot of efforts – bdnews24.com
The immediate past CEC had said that Election Commission might not need to exercise this power which however would keep violators of electoral rules and the code of conduct under pressure. He had expressed surprise that the EC wanted to relinquish the power for which there was neither a public demand not a political pressure.
