Bangladesh has introduced sweeping new election rules that make it compulsory for political parties to register to take part, and gives voters the chance to reject all candidates if they think none are suitable. Under the new rules announced late on Sunday, a parliamentary candidate will only be allowed to contest three seats simultaneously instead of the previously allowed five, though campaign spending limits have been tripled to 1.5 million taka (about $22,000) per individual. The new rules come as the country's interim government, which canceled elections in January last year and then announced emergency rule, embarks on a massive clean-up of local politics and prepares for what it says will be a free and fair vote before the year is out. The rules were approved by the advisory council (cabinet) headed by the chief of the Bangladesh's interim authority, Fakhruddin Ahmed, a statement from the government's information department said. The country's leading political parties, with many of their leaders in detention on corruption charges, have threatened to boycott the election. In previous Bangladesh elections, a myriad of unregistered political parties and candidates have taken part – some merely put up by one party to dilute the vote of a rival. Elections were routinely marred by widespread cheating including multiple voting, wildly doctored voter rolls, intimidation and bribery With the new rules, parties have to set aside 33 percent of positions for women and government officials more than three years away from retirement are barred from standing. Parties seeking registration must agree not to have or to abolish their student and labor fronts as well as to disband overseas units. Such fronts play a vital role in Bangladesh politics, providing the parties crucial support during election campaigns and also to settle scores with their rivals, analysts say. Another new innovation is the introduction of a “no” vote on ballot papers. Should the number of “no” votes exceed 50 percent, the poll for that constituency will be held again. Ataur Rahman, a political analyst, welcomed the new electoral provisions as a “good beginning” towards restoration of credible democracy in Bangladesh.. “We expected similar decisions much earlier to ensure accountability and responsibility of the political parties,” said Ataur, a Dhaka University professor and president of Bangladesh Political Science Association. Tofael Ahmed, a senior leader of Awami League, headed by paroled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, said “we also wanted registration parties for fair politics but fulfilling all the attached conditions would be difficult.” Rizvi Ahmed, a leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by detained former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, said his party would give formal reactions to the new laws in a day or two. Both Hasina and Khaleda – who alternated as prime minister of impoverished Bangladesh for 15 years until October 2006 – were arrested last year for alleged corruption, which they deny. The interim authority granted Hasina eight weeks parole last month allowing her to go to the United States for medical treatment. Khaleda is still in detention.
