False affidavit can oust a winning MP, even after election

The Election Commission has the authority to cancel an MP’s seat even after an election if it is found that false information was submitted in their nomination affidavit, Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah has confirmed.

The decision was taken during a resumed meeting of the EC held on Monday, August 11, at the Election Building in Agargaon, chaired by *Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin. 

The meeting finalised the draft of key amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) aimed at strengthening electoral integrity.

Sanaullah said the Commission can investigate and disqualify elected members post-poll if discrepancies or deliberate misinformation, such as in educational qualifications, criminal records, or asset declarations, are discovered in their affidavits.

"This is a major step toward accountability," he said. "An MP’s position is not beyond scrutiny. If someone deceives the public and the Commission, their membership can be revoked even after they take office."

The meeting was attended by Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmed, Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar, Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, and other concerned officials.

Other key decisions from the meeting include:

- No use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections, voting will be conducted via paper ballots.

- Reintroduction of the ‘No’ vote, allowing voters to reject all candidates in a constituency.

- In constituencies with only one candidate, that candidate cannot be elected without receiving a minimum number of valid votes.

- In the case of a tie in votes, the winner will not be decided by lottery, a re-vote will be held instead.

- Alliance partners will be elected under their respective party symbols for clarity and transparency.

- The armed forces have been formally included as a law enforcement agency eligible for election duty.

- The EC retains the power to cancel results in any or all 300 constituencies if the election process is compromised.

With these reforms, the Election Commission is reinforcing public trust and ensuring that the upcoming February 2025 elections are conducted with transparency, fairness, and accountability.