The Representation of the People (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, published in an official gazette on Monday by the law ministry, introduced many new rules.
The ordinance allowed registered political parties to form electoral alliances but mandated using their own party symbols in elections.
The law ministry published the ordinance in an official gazette on Monday.
The ordinance introduced a number of key changes to the country鈥檚 electoral laws.
It includes a clause disqualifying any individual declared a fugitive by a court from contesting the Jatiya Sangsad polls.
It also removed all provisions related to the use of the electronic voting machine 鈥� a device introduced by the previous government and widely criticised.
A new provision allows voters to cast 鈥榥o vote鈥� against a single candidate in the race.
The council of advisers, with chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair, had approved the draft of the ordinance on October 23.
However, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party had objected to the amendment of Article 20 of the RPO, sending letters to both the law adviser and the Election Commission.
The BNP had urged the authorities to retain the previous rule that allowed alliance partners to use a common election symbol, but the request was not accepted.
The ordinance further specifies that government employees involved in conducting the polls, as well as Bangladeshi expatriates, will be eligible to vote by postal ballots.
According to the ordinance, the army, navy, and air force have been included in the 鈥榣aw enforcement agencies鈥� for election purposes.
The security deposit required for each candidate has been raised from Tk 20,000 to Tk 50,000.
Donations amounting to Tk 50,000 or more must be made through banking channels, and donors must possess a valid tax identification number.
If the government suspends the activities of any political party, its registration and reserved election symbol will also remain suspended, although the party itself will not be deemed illegal.
The ceiling on election expenditure has been revised.
Previously a candidate could spend Tk 25 lakh or Tk 10 per voter, whichever was lower; the new rule allows whichever is higher.
The affidavit requirements have also been made stricter.
Candidates must now submit their latest income tax returns, disclose sources of income both at home and abroad, and provide full details of assets and liabilities.
Copies of affidavits, particularly asset statements, will be published on the Election Commission website.
If any candidate provides false information, the Election Commission will have the authority to investigate and take legal action.
Besides, an elected representative may be recalled at any time during their five-year term if found guilty of misconduct or providing false information.
The ordinance reinstates the earlier rule granting presiding officers the authority to decide whether to continue or suspend voting at their respective centres.
The polling station locations will be determined by district election officers and approved by the Election Commission.
Under the new provisions, individuals serving as heads or members of the governing bodies of educational institutions, including private schools, colleges, and madrassahs, will be disqualified from contesting parliamentary elections.
Similarly, executives of state-owned companies in which the government holds more than 50 per cent of shares will also be ineligible.
The RPO also said that the Election Commission would have the power to cancel results in entire constituencies if irregularities are detected.
It also can take action against the misuse of artificial intelligence during elections, and disqualify any candidate鈥攅ven after being elected鈥攊f false information is found in their affidavit.
