The High Court yesterday questioned the legality of a recently amended provision of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) that requires political parties to contest national elections using their own symbols even when they are part of an electoral alliance.

The bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Fatema Anwar issued a rule asking the government and the Election Commission to explain in 10 days why the provision should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional.

The rule came in response to a petition challenging the legality of the amendment.

On November 27, Mominul Islam, secretary general of the National Democratic Movement, filed the petition seeking a directive to overturn the amended provision, arguing that it restricts political freedoms and disrupts long-established electoral practices, particularly those involving alliances.

The government amended the RPO through an ordinance on November 3, making it mandatory for all registered political parties to contest elections using their own symbols regardless of alliance arrangements.

Previously, alliance members were allowed to contest using the election symbol of any partner party within the coalition, a provision that facilitated joint electoral strategies, especially for smaller parties with limited organisational strength.