The Representation of the People Order, 2025 (RPO) was issued today, compelling registered political parties that join alliances to contest upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election under their own symbols.
The Law Ministry issued the gazette notification of the ordinance. Ahead of the election, several amendments have been made to the RPO.
The draft amendment received the cabinet's policy approval on October 23. Later, while the BNP objected to the changes in Article 20 concerning alliance symbols, Jamaat-e-Islami and the NCP called for retaining the provision.
Ultimately, the ordinance was issued retaining the provision that requires candidates to contest under their respective party symbols, even if their parties form alliances.
This means that in the parliamentary election, alliance-nominated candidates cannot use the symbol of a larger or partner party -- they must run with their own party's symbol.
With the issuance of this RPO amendment ordinance, the process of reforming all election-related laws has been completed. The Election Commission (EC) has already amended the Voter List Act, the Special Provisions Act for Election Officers, and the Election Commission Secretariat Act, as well as updated policies on polling centres, domestic and foreign observers, and journalists.
Following the RPO amendment, the EC will soon issue the code of conduct for political parties and candidates based on the revised law.
Article 20 of the RPO (regarding symbol allocation) has been amended to include a provision that further clarifies and broadens the scope of symbol allocation for alliance-based political parties.
According to the amended RPO, if two or more registered political parties agree to nominate a joint candidate, the EC may, upon application, allocate the symbol reserved for the candidate's own party for joint use by the alliance. Such an application must be submitted to the EC within three days of the announcement of the election schedule.