None of the 144 new political parties that applied for registration to participate in the national elections could make it past the Election Commission's primary selection process, including the National Citizen Party (NCP).
As a result, the independent body is issuing letters to these parties, giving them 15 days to fill the gaps in their applications, EC Additional Secretary KM Ali Newaz confirmed on Tuesday.
"Letters are being issued to 62 parties in the first phase. Letters will be issued to the remaining 82 parties in the next phase. Any limitations and errors must be corrected and submitted within 15 days of receiving the letters," he said.
The EC had issued a public notice inviting applications from parties seeking registration until April 20. However, the application deadline was extended to June 22 as some parties, including the NCP, sought more time. At the latest, a total of 144 parties submitted applications.
EC officials said all the applicants failed to meet the registration conditions.
According to the EC's terms, a party needs a central committee, complete committees from at least one-third of all districts, 100 upazila committees, and proof of support from at least 200 voters in each committee to secure registration.
If someone from the party has been a member of parliament previously or if the party has received at least 5 percent of the votes in a national election, it is considered an additional qualification.
How the registration process works
After applying for registration, the EC first checks the documents of the parties.
Then, an investigation is conducted at the field level.
Later, if anyone raises objections against the parties, they are resolved through hearings.
Finally, if the outcome is favorable, the commission grants a registration certificate.
Without registration, no party can participate in the national elections under its electoral symbol.
Currently, there are 51 registered political parties in Bangladesh.
The EC introduced the party registration system in 2008 before the ninth national parliamentary elections.
Since then, 55 parties have received registration, but the registration of five parties, Jamaat-e-Islami, Freedom Party, United Citizens' Movement, PDP, and JAGPA, has been cancelled so far due to non-compliance with the conditions, violation of the conditions, or on the orders of the court.
Although the opportunity to restore the registration of Jamaat and JAGPA has been created by a recent court order, the EC has so far only reinstated Jamaat's registration.
Who is on which list?
According to the EC, the parties to which letters are being sent in the first phase include:
Bangladesh Sangrami Voter Party, Muslim Janata Party, New Generation Party, World Muslim Community, Bangladesh Nagorik Dal (BND), Jatiya Janata Party, Bangladesh Bekar Mukti Parishad, Bangladesh Janakalyan Party (BAJPA), Bangladesh Jagrata Party (BAJP), Bangladesh Janata Party (BJP), Bangladesh Islamic Janata Party, Humane Bangladesh Party, Bangladesh Republican Party, Bangladesh Citizen Party, Khilafat Islam, Bangladesh Chhatra Janata Party, Bangladesh Justice Movement, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist), Bangladesh Faraizi Andolon, and many others.
Those to whom letters will be sent in the second phase include National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh United Party, Bangladesh Janata Front (BJF), National Labour Party (NLP), Bangladesh Matribhumi Dal, Bangladesh Justice Party (BJP), Bangladesh Shantir Dal, Moulik Bangla, Ahimsa Gana Andolon, Bangladesh Janamat Party, and many others.
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