If there is any form of intimidation or pressure in the coming general election, the voting of the entire constituency will be cancelled, said the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday.
In a notification on Sunday (December 10), the EC also said that more than one ballot box will be allowed to use in each polling booth.
The notification signed by EC`s deputy secretary Atiar Rahman said, "In certain cases, the EC has the authority to stop the electoral process according to clause 91 of Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972."
The amendment to the RPO, which passed in Jatiya Sangsad on July 4, states that the key amendment authorises the Election Commission to postpone or cancel results or voting of one or more polling stations in any number of constituencies on polling day, but not the entire election to a constituency.
The EC has the power to stop publication of the gazette in some of the centres concerned after investigating any allegation of irregularities after polls.
According to the RPO provisions, if it appears to the EC that there are violations, including the use of force, intimidation and pressure in the election due to malpractices, it is not possible to ensure the conduct of elections in a fair and impartial manner. In accordance with the law, the EC can stop the voting at any stage in any polling station or in the entire constituency, the EC said.
In addition, the EC said more than one ballot box cannot be used in one polling booth at a time. When a ballot box will be filled up with votes, it will have be sealed in front of all present and be kept a safe place. In place of the box, another transparent ballot box must be kept so that voters can drop their ballots easily. The transparent ballot box must be kept a such a place which can be visible to candidates, polling agents, election agents, and officials working at the polling centre.
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