NCP, BSD (Marxist), Aam Jonogon Party set to get registration: EC
Final certificates likely between 14 and 15 November after resolving all claims and objections, EC says
The Election Commission (EC) has decided to grant registration to three political parties — the National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD-Marxist), and Bangladesh Aam Jonogon Party, said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed today (4 November).
Speaking to journalists at the Election Building in Agargaon, he said a public notice will be published tomorrow (5 November), inviting claims and objections until 12 November.
"The final certificate will be issued after resolving all claims and objections, which is expected between 14 and 15 November," he added.
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In response to a question, the EC Secretary said NCP has requested the Shapla Koli (water lily bud) as its election symbol, while another party has sought the Kachi (scissors).
"One more party has also applied for a change of symbol. For this reason, I did not comment on the symbols earlier. They will be announced when the official notification is published," he added.
Earlier in September, the EC said 143 new political parties had applied for registration to contest the upcoming parliamentary election.
Of them, 121 applications were rejected during initial scrutiny, while the remaining 22 underwent further verification.
The Commission later determined that these three parties met the necessary criteria for registration.
Previously, NCP had repeatedly requested the Election Commission to allocate the Shapla (water lily) as its electoral symbol.
The EC declined, saying the Shapla is a national symbol and cannot be used for the election.
However, on 30 October, the EC included a new symbol, Shapla Koli (water lily bud), following an amendment to the Election Conduct Rules, 2008.
Following the new symbol's inclusion, NCP indicated it would accept Shapla Koli as its election symbol.
Jatiya League loses bid for registration after re-investigation
The EC initially decided on 30 September to grant registration to the NCP and Bangladesh Jatiya League.
However, the NCP raised questions about the Jatiya League's organisational continuity, prompting the EC to launch a re-investigation.
After conducting the probe, the EC found no evidence of the Jatiya League's continuous political activities or electoral participation, leading to the party being dropped from the list one month and ten days later.
"The re-investigation found no continuity of the Jatiya League in terms of political activities, participation in elections, or past electoral engagement," said the EC secretary.
Ahead of the 13th parliamentary polls, a total of 143 political parties applied for registration within the stipulated time in June. Of them, 121 applications were rejected in the preliminary screening.
Later, the EC conducted field investigations into 22 parties. Seven of them were found ineligible for registration — Forward Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist), Bangladesh Reformist Party, Bangladesh Bekar Samaj, Bangladesh Solution Party, Nobo Bangladesh Party, Jamiat Ulamaye Islam, and Nezame Islam Party.
For the remaining parties, field-level offices, committees, and other criteria were reviewed.
The last 11 parties to be dropped are: Amjonotar Dal, Bangladesh Ganatantrik Party (BGP), Jatiya Janata Party, Bangladesh Justice and Development Party, Bhasani Janashakti Party, Bangladesh Bekar Mukti Parishad, Jonotar Dal, Moulodik Bangla, Janata Party Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Jatiya League.
Meanwhile, the EC is awaiting the court's directive to grant registration to the Bangladesh Nezame Islami Party, following a court order in its favour.
Currently, 53 political parties remain registered, while the registrations of some — such as the Awami League — are suspended, and others — including Freedom Party, Oikoboddho Nagorik Andolon, and PDP — have been canceled.
