The High Court of Bangladesh has issued a rule asking why the provision requiring political parties to contest under their own symbols, even when forming an alliance for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, should not be declared illegal. The bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Fatema Anwar issued the rule on December 1, directing the Election Commission to provide an explanation within ten days. The petition was filed on November 27 by Mominul Amin, Secretary General of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), who argued that the amended Representation of the People Order (RPO) violates constitutional rights and freedom of expression. The writ petition also requested suspension of the provision and reinstatement of the previous rule allowing alliances to use a single electoral symbol. The Law Ministry Secretary and the Election Commission Secretary have been made respondents. Amin further alleged that the amendment was introduced to benefit specific parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and the National People's Party (NCP).