NCP set to get EC registration with symbol still unsettled
Out of 143 parties that applied for registration, 22 were reviewed in the field. Among them, two parties, the NCP and the Bangladesh National League, have been approved for registration.
The Election Commission has decided to grant the National Citizen Party (NCP) registration as a political party in Bangladesh.
Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told reporters on Tuesday at the Election Commission building that out of 143 parties that applied for registration, 22 were reviewed in the field.
Among them, two parties, the NCP and the Bangladesh Jatiya League, have been approved for registration.
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This means both NCP and the Bangladesh National League will be eligible to contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary elections under their party symbols.
Although NCP's registration has been approved, the party has not yet been assigned a symbol.
The Election Commission said a letter will be sent to the party to confirm its official symbol ahead of the elections.
Regarding the NCP's desired Shapla symbol, Akhtar said, "There is one unresolved issue. The symbol they requested is not listed in the schedule of symbols under our regulations. Because it is not available, we will send them a letter to confirm a symbol.
"After receiving that letter, they can tell us which symbol they want, and we will issue the notification in their name specifying that symbol."
The EC secretary further said that after the NCP proposes a new symbol, a notification will be issued accordingly.
On the other hand, the issue of the Bangladesh National League's symbol is settled.
As for the Bangladesh National League, everything is fine; they have requested a symbol, and it has been approved, he added.
Earlier on 24, the NCP formally applied to the EC seeking inclusion of the "Shapla" (water lily), "White Shapla" or "Red Shapla", as an electoral symbol by amending the provisions of The Conduct of Election Rules, 2008.
Then the Election Commission announced it will hold a meeting to review the letter sent by the NCP requesting the allocation for the "Shapla" symbol.
The EC secretary also said that regarding the Bangladesh Nizam-e-Islam Party, there is a ruling from court, and the party is eligible for registration.
He stated that three political parties are under the Election Commission's observation – Bangladesh Aam Jonogon Party, Jatiyo Janata Party, and Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal.
He further said that nine parties will undergo further investigation regarding their activities.
These are Amjonotar Dal, Bangladesh Ganatantrik Party, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist), Bangladesh Justice and Development Party, Vashani Jonoshokti Party, Bangladesh Bekar Mukti Parishad, Jonotar Dal, Maulik Bangla, and Jonota Party Bangladesh. Therefore, a total of 12 parties will be reviewed.
Meanwhile, among the 22 parties investigated at the field level, the EC has decided to cancel the registration of seven parties.
These are Forward Party, Bangladesh Sanskarbadi Party, Bangladesh Communist Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Nizam-e-Islam Party, Bangladesh Bekar Samaj, Bangladesh Solution Party, and New Bangladesh Party.
When asked about the difference between the three parties under observation and the nine parties undergoing further investigation, the EC secretary said that there are some differences.
For example, some parties may be reviewed at the secretariat level and not sent to the field, while others need to be verified at the field level. This is how they have been classified. "In short, among the 12 parties, some will be verified at the secretariat level, and some will undergo further verification in the field."
Asked why the notifications for all parties were not issued at once, he said that the notification is not being issued today.
"If in the next few days three more parties come under review, the notifications will be issued together. Notifications may be issued together, or not.
