Mahbub Talukder issues ‘note of dissent’ over enacting law on parties’ registration

Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder today issued a "note of dissent" against a move taken by the Election Commission to revise Representation of the People Order, 1972 and to enact a law on political parties' registration.

In the note, he said, "I fully opposed the decision. It's a reckless decision to legislate separately on a part of RPO or Representation of People Order, 1972."

"As I said earlier, Representation of the People Order, 1972" is a historic legal document, which is a unique memorial of the independence of Bangladesh," he added.

"If the EC's proposal is accepted, the RPO will be rendered handicapped," he added.

"I disagree with the proposal of enacting 'Political Parties Registration Act, 2020'," he said, adding "it seems unnecessary to me".

"It is not understandable to me," he said. If necessary, the RPO, 1972 can be amended, he added.

In today's meeting at the EC, it has been said that the draft of political parties' registration act, 2020 was prepared as per the decision of the EC's 63rd meeting, he mentioned.

The country's two largest political parties and several others have opposed the move, he said in the note today.