Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman Hossain Mohammad Ershad has requested the Election Commission (EC) not to give the symbol — Plough — to any party or individual as it is JP’s logo.
In a letter to EC secretary Dr. Muhammed Sadik, Ershad said that as chairman of a registered political party he has the right to request the commission not to give his party logo to anyone to use it as a party symbol for contesting the upcoming poll.
However, as per article 9 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) any rebel individual can use the party logo after the scrutiny date of election schedule is over.
“According to the PRO 16 and election law —, it is individual’s jurisdiction to withdraw a nomination paper or to apprise the returning office about his/her position on symbol, and that would be solved by the returning offices,” EC secretary Dr. Muhammad Sadik told The Independent.
EC secretary said if any candidate of JP wants to take part in election he can join the race, and if the party submits any plea to the commission before completion of the scrutiny of nomination paper then the scenario would be different.
However, Boby Hujjah, special adviser to HM Ershad, conveyed the letter to the EC secretary on Thursday noon.
“Plough is JP’s logo; and Hossain Muhammad Ershad, the chairman of JP and its presidium, has decided that it will not take part in the 10th parliamentary poll. I just handed over the letter to the EC secretary,” Boby Hujjaj told reporters at the EC secretariat.
Ershad, in his letter, said JP presidium has decided that it will not take part in the upcoming general election scheduled for January 5, and requested the commission not to allow any party or individual to use the party logo as election symbol.
-With The Independent input
