Naripokkho demands inclusion of 'no vote' option in ballots

Naripokkho, a women's rights organisation, has demanded the inclusion of "no vote" option in ballots to express voters' lack of confidence in political parties contesting in elections.  

Naripokkho President Geeta Das made the demand at a press conference on "Women's Rights and Freedom: Expectations and Actions" held at Dhaka Reporters Unity today (14 December). 

She said Naripokkho, in collaboration with Durbar Network, assessed women's demands through workshops in eight divisions of the country after the fall of the Awami League government to present them to the interim government.

"Our demands include women's inclusion in one-third of the electoral list of every political party, directly elected reserved seats for women in 64 districts, separating the state from religion to establish a secular and humane state, and ensuring equal rights for women in family and social life by reforming laws that discriminate against women, such as family law, inheritance law, guardianship, compensation law, and citizenship law," Geeta Das said. 

The organisation also demanded the full implementation of laws and policies to eliminate discrimination against women and make women's lives free from violence; proper respect and provision of all state benefits to sex workers; updating the National Health Policy 2011 and implementing the National Medicine Policy 2016; depoliticising all educational institutions and ensuring public participation, especially women's participation, in committees; amending labour laws to recognise the work of non-institutional and informal sectors; and revising policies and strategies related to climate, forest and environment adopted at the national level to include specific goals of gender equality and women's empowerment. 

The 'no vote' system was introduced before the December 2008 national election as citizens' rights to say no against all candidates on the ballot, if they didn't like any of them.

If the symbol for 'none of the above candidates', known as the 'No' vote, in any constituency registered more than 50% of votes cast, the returning officer would cancel the results of that seat and a re-vote would be held, according to the provision repealed by the AL government in February 2009.