Election 2026: Candidates can't govern educational institutions in their areas

Candidates for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election
will no longer be allowed to hold positions on the governing bodies of
educational institutions in their constituencies.
Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanuallah shared this and other new
guidelines with reporters at the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in Dhaka
this afternoon.
He said any candidate providing false information in their
affidavit may face action by the EC. Individuals declared as fugitives by the
courts will also be barred from contesting.
A total of
46 amendments, both major and minor have been proposed to the Representation of
the People Order (RPO), EC Sanuallah added.
The final draft was submitted to the Ministry of Law yesterday.
"A
new clause in Section 12 of the RPO stipulates that candidates cannot serve as
chairs or members of governing bodies of educational institutions in their
constituencies," Sanuallah said regarding this amendment.
He further
said candidates must now submit their income tax returns for the last tax year
along with their nomination papers. Previously, the RPO required disclosure of
only the source of income, but the amendment expands this to include domestic
and foreign income, as well as assets and debts within the country and abroad.
"If any false information is provided or comes to light, the Election
Commission can investigate and take action. Even if the candidate is elected,
they can be recalled at any point during their five-year term and will lose
their parliamentary seat," Sanuallah said.
On the
issue of constituencies with only a single candidate, he said elections would
proceed with a "no vote" option. If "no vote" secures a
majority, the election will be rescheduled. If a single candidate remains after
rescheduling, they will be declared elected unopposed.
Regarding
candidates from political alliances, Sanuallah clarified they will contest
using the symbol of their respective political parties.
He also
addressed online nomination submissions, saying that while online submission
was available for local government elections, it has not yet been introduced
for national elections, though it may be in the future.
On
participation of leaders from banned political parties, he said their leaders
would not be allowed to contest under the party's name.
"As
for independent candidates, time will tell how they will participate," he
added.
















