The Delimitation of Constituencies Bill, 2021 seeking to formulate an act to replace a military regime-era ordinance in line with a court judgment was passed in Parliament on Saturday.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Haq piloted the Bill and it was passed by voice vote.
The proposed law has been designed aiming to make an act instead ofthe existing Delimitation of Constituencies Ordinance 1976, which was promulgated during the military regime of Ziaur Rahman.
As per the Bill, the Election Commission shall, for the purpose of elections to the seats in Parliament, divide the country into as many single territorial constituencies as the number of members to be elected as per the Constitution.
Theconstituencies shall be so delimited, having regard to administrative convenience, that each constituency is a compact area.In doing so,due regard shall begiven to the distribution of populationas per the latest census report.
After making such enquiries and examining such records as it may deem necessary,the Commission shallpublish in the official Gazettea preliminary list of territorial constituencies specifying the areas proposed to be included in each such constituency together with a notice inviting objections and suggestions within such period as may be specified in the notice.
After hearing and considering the objections and suggestions, if any,the Commission shallmake such amendments, alterations or modifications in the preliminary list published as it thinks fit and shall, also after correcting any errors arising from any accidental slip or omission, publish in the official Gazette the final list of territorial constituencies showing the areas included in each such constituency.
The validity of the delimitation or formation of any constituencyor of any proceedings taken oranything done by or under the authority of the Commission, under this law shall not be called in question in or before any Court or other authority.
The territorial constituencies shall be delimited afresh – upon the completion of each census, for the purpose of general election to Parliament to be held following such census; and unless otherwise directed by the Commission for reasons to be recorded in writing, before each general election to Parliament.
