Bangladesh Moves Closer to Sweeping Election Law Reforms

The Election Commission (EC) has forwarded the draft of the Representation of the People Order 1972 (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 to the Ministry of Law for vetting, marking a key step toward overhauling the country’s electoral framework. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed the submission on Tuesday, noting that the draft will be published as a gazette once it receives clearance from the ministry. The proposed changes were finalised during the commission’s ninth meeting on 11 August.

Among the most significant revisions is the inclusion of the Armed Forces Division in the legal definition of law enforcement agencies, granting the EC authority to deploy them during elections. The draft also abolishes all provisions related to electronic voting machines, introduces a “No Vote” option in constituencies with only one candidate, and empowers the EC to suspend election results, when necessary, a power it previously lacked. In the event of tied votes, the current lottery system would be replaced with a re-vote.

Other provisions aim to strengthen the commission’s independence and oversight. In any dispute between the government and the EC, the commission’s decision would take precedence. Forty-five days before the election schedule is announced, senior administrative and police officials would come under EC authority. The commission would also gain the power to discreetly report and penalize government officials who defy its instructions.

The reforms further call for committees to monitor campaign spending, mandatory online publication of political parties’ income and expenditure, resolution of pending legal cases before election symbols are allocated, and the ability to take action against candidates who submit false information in affidavits even after the polls. Legal measures would also be available against those making false allegations.

If enacted, the amendments would represent one of the most comprehensive updates to Bangladesh’s electoral laws in recent years, with the potential to reshape how elections are conducted and overseen.