EC plans electoral dialogue by end of September after new parties’ registration
Election materials begin arriving at Nirbachan Bhaban
The Election Commission (EC) plans to start electoral dialogues with stakeholders by the end of September over the next national polls once the registration process for new political parties is completed.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud told reporters that once the registration process concludes, invitations for the dialogue will be finalised.
Among the 143 political parties that applied for registration, field-level investigations have already been completed for 22 parties that passed the preliminary screening.
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These parties include: Jatiya Nagorik Party, Forward Party, Am Janatar Dal, Bangladesh Ganotantrik Party, Bangladesh Shongskarbadi Party, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party, Bangladesh Socialist Party (Marxist), Moulik Bangla, Bangladesh Justice and Development Party, Jatiya Janata Party, Janatar Dal, Janata Party Bangladesh, Bangladesh Am Janogon Party, Bangladesh Jatiya League, Bhashani Jonoshokti Party, Bangladesh Bekar Mukti Parishad, Bangladesh Communist Party (Marxist), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad – Shahjahan Siraj), Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam and Nezame Islam Party, Bangladesh Bekar Samaj, Bangladesh Solution Party, Notun Bangladesh Party.
After a notification is published in national newspapers regarding the parties eligible for registration and complaints (if any) are addressed, the final gazette will be issued.
Following this, the EC will officially begin electoral dialogues.
According to the EC roadmap, the dialogue process may begin on or around 30 September. The dialogues will be held in several phases over a period of one to one and a half months. Participants will include political parties, university professors, civil society members, media representatives, election observers, election experts, and freedom fighters.
Currently, there are 50 registered political parties. Newly registered parties will also be included in the dialogue.
Meanwhile, around a dozen of the 22 investigated parties participated in hearings conducted by the EC on 14 September. KM Ali Newaz, additional secretary of the EC, conducted the hearings.
As in previous elections, the EC issued a call for applications for party registration ahead of the 13th national election. A total of 143 new parties applied. Of these, 84 were initially shortlisted, but 62 failed to meet the requirements. As a result, 22 parties — including National Citizen Party — are now undergoing final review.
Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar said after reviewing field investigation reports, final registration decisions may be made within this month.
Election materials start arriving
The Election Commission (EC) has begun receiving essential election materials at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka. At least six types of election materials have arrived so far.
The materials have been arriving in phases since early September and are now being stored at the building.
The supplies include-- Red Sealing Wax, Seals (Locks) for Translucent Ballot Boxes, Official Seals, Brass Seals, Gunny Bags, and Large and Small Hessian Bags. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed today inspected the stored election materials.
According to the EC's plan, all election materials are expected to be fully collected by the end of September. Distribution of preliminary election items—including nomination papers, the code of conduct, and symbol poster management manuals—is scheduled to be completed by 1 December.
