The government has issued the Representation of the People (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, stipulating that even if registered political parties form alliances, their candidates must contest under their own party symbols.

The ordinance was published in the official gazette on Monday (November 3) by the Ministry of Law. During an advisory council meeting on October 23, the draft amendment received principle approval. Although the BNP raised objections regarding changes in Section 20 related to alliance symbols, Jamaat and NCP insisted that the proposed amendments be maintained.

Under the ordinance, candidates in alliances cannot contest under the symbol of a larger or different party; they must appear on the symbol of their respective parties in the 13th parliamentary elections.

With the issuance of this RPO amendment ordinance, all election-related legal reforms have been completed. These include amendments to the Voter List Act, Election Officers’ Special Provisions Act, Election Commission Secretariat Act, polling centre guidelines, domestic and international observation regulations, and journalist guidelines, among other procedural updates by the Election Commission.

Following the amendment, the election management body will soon issue codes of conduct for parties and candidates in accordance with the new rules.