Draft of Amended RPO Finalised: School Board Members Barred from Contesting Elections

The Election Commission (EC) has finalised the draft of the amended Representation of the People Order (RPO), introducing a provision that prohibits individuals from contesting parliamentary elections if they serve as the president or a member of the governing body of any educational institution.

Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah informed reporters at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon on Wednesday (3 September) about the finalisation of the draft.

The amendment also stipulates that individuals declared absconding by a court will be ineligible to stand as candidates in parliamentary elections.

The EC has forwarded the amended draft RPO to the Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs for further consideration and formal enactment.

This amendment aims to ensure transparency and prevent conflicts of interest among parliamentary candidates holding influential positions in educational institutions.