Parties divided over RPO amendment requiring alliance candidates to run under own party symbol

Highlights:

• New RPO amendment requires alliance candidates to use own party symbols
• Proposal draws mixed reactions from major and smaller political parties
• BNP opposes change, saying it discourages smaller parties from alliances
• Jamaat, NCP, LDP, and Islami Andolan support the amendment
• Critics urge delaying implementation until after the upcoming election
• Supporters say rule boosts smaller parties' visibility and political identity

Candidates in electoral alliances will have to contest the national election under their own party symbol, according to a proposed amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) approved by the interim government. The move has drawn mixed reactions from political parties.

Some parties have opposed the change, while others have welcomed it. Supporters of the amendment argue that it will help smaller unregistered parties gain visibility in alliance politics, even if the transition causes short-term inconvenience. 

They believe that over time, smaller parties will build recognition through their own symbols and identities. However, several political figures have suggested that the existing system be retained for the upcoming election and the new rules implemented thereafter.

The BNP has objected to the proposed amendment. Party standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the BNP will send letters to both the government and the Election Commission requesting changes to the draft.

"If candidates in alliances must contest under their own symbols, smaller parties will lose motivation to join alliances," he said. "Neither the small parties nor we agree with this. We don't understand why the Election Commission brought this up unilaterally. For the sake of fair politics and fair elections, it should be reconsidered."

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. Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair told The Business Standard that the party is monitoring the situation and will finalise its position after internal discussions. 

He said Jamaat would formally communicate its stance to the Election Commission in an upcoming meeting with political parties.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has endorsed the amendment. Its leader Akhtar Hossain described it as a positive step and criticised the BNP's objection. 

"If the government backtracks on this because of any party's pressure, it will again show that the power transfer process is continuing in the same manner as discussed in the London meeting," he said.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed said every party should maintain self-respect in politics. "Even within an alliance, it is better for parties to contest under their own symbols. That will not diminish their dignity," he said.

The amendment to the Representation of the People Order 2025 was approved in principle and finally by the Advisory Council at a meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus last Thursday at the Chief Adviser's Office.

Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque also viewed the amendment positively, saying that once a party is registered, it should take responsibility to contest under its own banner. 

However, he cautioned that smaller parties might face challenges. "To build a political identity, small parties must accept some level of risk," he said.

Haque added that implementing the change without adequate discussion could cause problems in the upcoming February election and suggested maintaining the current system for now, introducing the amendment from the next poll onward.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh Joint Secretary General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman said, "A registered party is given a symbol to represent its identity. If it doesn't contest under that symbol, registration loses meaning. The amendment is correct — it will help parties grow, and voters will know exactly which party and ideology they are voting for."

Bangladesh National Party Chairman and 12-Party Alliance Coordinator Syed Ehsanul Huda disagreed, saying, "The decision is not good; the old system should remain. This is not reform — it doesn't reflect the will of the parties. Law should not restrict political freedom. Registered small parties will suffer because of this amendment."

He added that while unregistered parties can contest under major party symbols, registered smaller parties will be bound to use their own, putting them at a disadvantage.

Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan said there should be two options. "Alliances are formed for strategic reasons. Some may prefer a single alliance symbol, while others may want to contest under their own. Both options should be allowed," he told The Business Standard.

Rashed Pradhan, vice-president and spokesperson of the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, said, "Our political culture has long allowed smaller parties in alliances to contest using major party symbols, which limits public familiarity with smaller party symbols. Although it may be difficult at first, the new rule is a positive change. Over time, people will learn the symbols of smaller and mid-sized parties, helping to diversify political representation."