The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Council of Advisers of the caretaker government Sunday approved in principle the Representation of People Order (RPO) Ordinance 2008 with a new option for casting negative vote if a voter does not like any candidate in an election.

Under the new electoral law, which came ahead of the crucial next national elections, if the negative votes are fifty percent or more of the total vote cast in the polling, fresh election would take place in the constituency. A candidate can contest maximum from three constituencies in the general election instead of the earlier ceiling of five parliamentary seats.

Maximum election expenditure has been fixed up to Tk 15 lakh for a candidate.

A meeting of the council of advisers with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair endorsed the Ordinance in principle, asking the Ministry concerned to place it "soon" after vetting for final approval.

Briefing newsmen about the outcome of the meeting, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim said, "The Ordinance, hopefully, would be gazette- notified by the end of this month."