The BNP has objected to the Election Commission’s (EC) decision that candidates in national elections must contest under their respective party symbols, even if they are part of an electoral alliance. The party has formally submitted a letter to the EC expressing its objection.
On Sunday (October 26), a two-member BNP delegation led by the party chairperson’s adviser Mohammad Ismail Jabiullah met with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A. M. M. Nasir Uddin at the EC office in Agargaon and handed over the letter.
After the meeting, Ismail Jabiullah told reporters, “According to the amended Representation of the People Order (RPO), candidates in alliances must contest under their own party symbols. BNP disagrees with this amendment and has requested the EC to maintain the previous system.”
He added, “No political party proposed such an amendment. Taking such a decision without consultation undermines democratic practice.”
BNP sources said the issue will also be addressed in a separate letter from the party’s advisory council.
Earlier, the BNP had opposed the EC’s proposal during the RPO amendment process. Party standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed had said that requiring candidates to use their own party symbols in coalition elections would discourage smaller parties from forming alliances, which would harm participatory politics.
The BNP claims that this unilateral decision by the Election Commission goes against the spirit of fair politics and free elections, urging the commission to reconsider the matter.