Respective Party Symbols Must Be Used Even in Coalition Polls

The Government Issues Gazette for RPO Amendment

The government has issued the gazette notification of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, introducing a provision that requires registered political parties contesting elections under an alliance to use their individual party symbols.

The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued the gazette on Monday, following the advisory council’s approval of the draft ordinance on October 23.

With the publication of the gazette, several significant provisions have been incorporated into the national electoral framework. These include the reintroduction of the “no vote” option and the classification of artificial intelligence (AI) misuse as an electoral offence.

Under the revised RPO, any individual declared a fugitive by a court will be disqualified from contesting elections. The definition of law enforcement agencies has been expanded to include the army, navy, air force, and coast guard.

The “no vote” provision has been reinstated in constituencies with a single candidate, while in cases of a tie between candidates, a re-election will now be held instead of deciding the result by lottery.

The amendment also mandates that candidates contesting under an alliance must use their respective party symbols. The election deposit has been increased to Tk 50,000, and violations of the electoral code of conduct may lead to a fine of up to Tk 150,000 and six months’ imprisonment.

An IT-supported postal voting system has been introduced, enabling eligible voters — including expatriates, government officials posted outside their constituencies, and voters under lawful custody — to cast their ballots remotely.

The Election Commission (EC) has also been empowered to nullify election results in an entire constituency if irregularities are proven.

Additionally, the misuse of AI has been officially classified as an electoral offence, and the EC may take action against candidates submitting false information in affidavits, even after they are elected.

According to Article 12, a court-declared fugitive or absconding accused will be ineligible to become a member of parliament. Individuals holding the position of chair of a governing body or an executive post in an organization will also be barred from candidacy, with such roles being defined as positions of profit. Candidates’ affidavits must now include sources of income (domestic and foreign) along with the latest tax return.

Article 21 stipulates that an election agent must be a registered voter of the concerned constituency, while Article 26 abolishes the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Furthermore, Articles 29 and 36 grant media personnel access to polling stations and permission to be present during vote counting, enhancing transparency in the electoral process.