The Election Commission has stated that whether mayoral candidates in the upcoming local government elections will contest under party symbols depends on the decision of the new parliament, adding that the matter effectively rests with the ruling BNP, given its commanding majority in the House.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud made the remarks on Sunday while speaking to reporters.

He also outlined that the commission’s plans regarding reserved women’s seats and postponed by-elections.

Explaining the current legal position, the commissioner said an ordinance issued during the interim government period had removed the provision for party nominations in mayoral races.

He said the commission is now awaiting the outcome of the upcoming parliamentary session, where the ordinance will be taken up for ratification or amendment.

“To my knowledge, the ordinance removed the provision for party nominations for mayoral candidates. Parliament will now convene, and if this ordinance is ratified, elections will be held accordingly. If it is amended and the previous provision is restored, the process will be different. We are essentially looking toward the decision of the parliamentary session,” Masud said.

Since the BNP holds an overwhelming majority in the 13th Parliament, the fate of the ordinance and the question of party symbols in city corporation elections will largely be determined by the ruling party’s stance on the issue.

On the election of reserved women’s seats in parliament, the commissioner said the process has effectively begun. Parties represented in parliament will nominate candidates, and those nominees will be elected.

He said political parties have already started preliminary work on their nominations. Under existing rules, the election for reserved seats must be completed within 90 days of the swearing-in of parliament members, and the commission is committed to meeting that deadline.