EC registration: NCP, 15 other parties meet preliminary criteria

The National Citizen Party (NCP) along with 15 other new political parties have passed the Election Commission's (EC) primary selection process for party registration, EC officials confirmed today (10 August). 

Ali Newaz, additional secretary of the commission, said these 16 parties have cleared the preliminary verification and will now undergo a field investigation as the next step in the registration process.

According to EC officials, 145 parties submitted a total of 147 registration applications by the 22 June deadline. Initially, none met the preliminary eligibility criteria. Later, the commission gave these parties, including the NCP, a 15-day window, which closed on 3 August, to address shortcomings. 

Under election law, a party seeking registration must have a central committee, committees in at least three districts and 100 upazilas, and documented support from 200 voters in each committee. 

Additionally, parties that have previously had parliamentary representation or secured at least 5% of votes in the last election are deemed eligible. Other conditions and regulations also apply during the initial screening.

Following the preliminary selection, the commission conducts on-site verification of the parties' information, completes the final evaluation, and then issues a public notice inviting objections. If objections arise, hearings are held to resolve them. If none are received, the commission grants registration certificates.

Only registered parties can field candidates under their own symbols in elections.