BNP objects to RPO amendment requiring alliance candidates to run under party symbol
This proposed amendment to the Representation of the People Order, approved by the interim government, has drawn mixed reactions from political parties.
The BNP has sent a letter to the Election Commission (EC) objecting to its decision that candidates in electoral alliances must contest national elections under their own party symbol.
The party sent a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin today (26 October), BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan confirmed the matter.
Urging that the previous provisions in Article 20 of the RPO be maintained, the BNP argues that no political party has proposed this amendment and that it undermines democratic rights.
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On Sunday, a BNP delegation met the CEC at the Election Commission office in Agargaon, Dhaka, to discuss the matter. After the meeting, BNP Chairperson's adviser Ismail Jabiuallah outlined the party's position to journalists.
He said the BNP does not agree with the RPO amendment mandating that alliance candidates must contest under their own party symbols. To restore the previous arrangement, the party has formally sent a letter to the CEC.
He added that the amendment was not proposed by any political party, is unacceptable, and has undermined democratic rights by being enacted without consultation.
Jabiuallah also stated that the party plans to submit a letter at the adviser level as well, arguing that parties contesting as part of an alliance should have the right to choose which symbol their candidates use.
This proposed amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), approved by the interim government, has drawn mixed reactions from political parties.
Some parties have opposed the change, while others have welcomed it.
The BNP objected to the proposed amendment. Party Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed earlier said the BNP would send letters to both the government and the Election Commission requesting changes to the draft.
The Jamaat-e-Islami, however, has expressed no objection. A party source said that every political organisation already has its own symbol and should contest under it.
The National Citizen Party (NCP) has endorsed the amendment. Its leader Akhter Hossen has previously described it as a positive step and criticised the BNP's objection.
