Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has called on the Law Adviser to take necessary steps to restore the previous provision of Article 20 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972, which governs the allocation of election symbols to political parties or alliances.
According to party’s media cell sources, the request was conveyed through a letter dated 25 October 2025, from BNP’s Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed.
In his letter, he highlighted the party had already submitted its feedback on the Election System Reform Commission’s report in response to the Ministry’s invitation for comments from political parties.
He noted while the BNP agreed with several proposed amendments to other sections of the RPO, it had clearly stated Article 20, which regulates the allocation of symbols to parties or alliances, should remain unaltered.
The letter recalled prior discussions with the Law Adviser, during which the party was assured Article 20 would not be amended. Salahuddin wrote the amendment to Article 20 is unacceptable and the party cannot agree with it.
The letter emphasised in previous national elections, political parties had the right to form alliances and contest using either their own symbols or those of allied parties, which are fundamental political and democratic rights.
It further warned the proposed amendment would undermine this right and criticised the decision for being made without consultation with major political stakeholders.
The BNP urged the Law Adviser to take immediate steps to reinstate the original provisions of Article 20 of the RPO.
