The High Court on Thursday dismissed a rule challenging the legality of the rule that parties forming an alliance cannot share the electoral symbol in the upcoming national elections.

The HC bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Fatema Anwar handed down the judgement.

As a result, all parties will have to contest elections under their own symbols, even if they form alliances, experts said.

The writ petitioners, including Advocate Ahsanul Karim, Barrister Rashna Imam, Barrister Reshad Imam, and Barrister Shahedul Azam, had challenged the provision. Meanwhile, Advocate Mohammad Hossain Lipu, Advocate Zahirul Islam Musa, Advocate Ajmal Hossain, and Advocate Nazmus Shakib represented the NCP in opposition to the writ. Advocate Yarul Islam appeared on behalf of the Bangladesh Congress.

Earlier, on December 1, the High Court issued the rule questioning why the Representation of the People Order (RPO) amendment, which mandates voting under respective party symbols even in alliances, should not be declared illegal.

The Election Commission was asked to respond within ten days, and the final hearing was held on Thursday.

The RPO amendment ordinance, issued by the government on November 3, stipulates that if multiple parties contest in an alliance, candidates must use their own party symbols.

Previously, a candidate from a smaller party in an alliance could adopt the symbol of a larger allied party.

The provision faced objections from the BNP and some smaller parties, while Jamaat-e-Islami had also expressed concerns about the government’s initial approach.

The writ, filed on November 27 by Mominul Amin, Secretary General of the National Democratic Movement (NDM) led by Bobby Hajjaj, sought the cancellation of the provision.

The Chief Election Commissioner and other relevant authorities were made respondents in the writ.