Question on RPO Amendment Ordinance: BNP & Jamaat-e-Islami

The BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have raised strong objections to the draft Representation of the People Order (RPO) Amendment Ordinance approved today by the interim government's Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed criticized the potential changes to alliance symbol rules, arguing that if small parties in an alliance cannot use the symbol of the main party, the alliance itself becomes meaningless. He stated the BNP had previously submitted a proposal against any changes to the existing RPO.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar slammed the government and the Election Commission for their lack of transparency and consultation. He insisted that the views of political parties and the public should have been considered before introducing the major reforms, which he fears may create problems for some parties.

The government maintains the amendments aim to ensure greater transparency and accountability in elections.