The Election Commission (EC) has come under criticism for granting registration to new political parties that failed to meet the mandatory criteria. Both EC officials and leaders of parties denied registration have raised questions about the Commission’s transparency and impartiality.
On Tuesday, the EC published a notice in newspapers inviting objections, if any, against three parties that have been finalised for registration — the National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh Aam Jonogon Party, and Bangladesh Socialist Party (Marxist).
Of the three, only NCP reportedly met all the legal requirements. Allegations have surfaced that the other two were approved despite failing to fulfil several key conditions.
Bangladesh Aam Jonogon Party was founded by Mohammad Rafiqul Amin, managing director of the controversial Destiny Group, who had been imprisoned on charges of embezzlement and corruption.
He was released on 5 August 2024, following the July uprising that led to political change, and went on to form the party in April this year before applying for registration. Following this move, victims and defrauded investors of Destiny Group staged protests and human chains outside the EC Secretariat, demanding that his party not be registered. Their cries went unheard.
Under EC rules, a new political party seeking registration must have active offices and committees in at least 100 upazilas. EC investigations found that the Bangladesh Aam Jonogon Party doesn’t have offices and committees in 30 upazilas.
Similarly, Bangladesh Socialist Party (Marxist)— formed following a split within the original Bangladesh Socialist Party (Basad) — also failed to meet the minimum requirement for district and upazila-level offices and committees. Despite this, Basad (Marxist) is being granted registration. Its current chief coordinator is Masud Rana.
When asked about the exemptions, Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker said the commission tried to be flexible with all parties. “Those that have met most of the requirements, even if not fully, are being granted registration.”
He added, “Parties with major deficiencies have not yet been approved. Once they fulfil the remaining conditions, registration will be considered.”
On the issue of Destiny Group’s Rafiqul Amin, he said, “Even if there are allegations against a leader, registration must be granted if the party meets the legal conditions.”
EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the courts had advised the Commission to exercise flexibility when granting political party registration. “Therefore, even if all conditions are not fully met, those fulfilling the majority are being approved,” he added.
Chairman of Election Reform Commission Badiul Alam Majumdar said raising question over registering new parties are not expected under the present circumstance. “We clearly recommended the registration process, but EC followed the previous footstep.”
Questions have also been raised about whether the EC properly verified all applications. Initially, the Commission decided to grant registration to the Bangladesh Jatiya League for fulfilling the required criteria. However, following objections from the NCP and negative media reports, that decision was reversed.
The EC later stated that further investigation had found no evidence of continuous political activity by the party.
Tarek Rahman, member secretary of the unregistered Aam Janatar Dal is now on hunger strike in front of the EC building demanding registration. He criticised the Commission’s leniency policy.
“Those who looted people’s money have formed parties just months ago and are getting registered, while parties that have been active on the streets for years are being ignored,” he pointed out.
He claimed, “The Commission has not clarified whether its refusal is due to external pressure. They are telling us to go to court, but the election is fast approaching.”
Four other parties denied registration are also agitating there on similar ground.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jatiya League Chairman Mahbubul Alam condemned EC’s withdrawal of its earlier decision to register his party without holding a hearing. He said, “EC has violated its own rules on party registration.”
The commission invited applications for political party registration in March this year and received a total of 143 submissions. Of them, three parties were approved, but raising many questions.
Controversy over the registration of new parties by the EC is nothing new. Particularly before elections, it has become a recurring practice to approve parties allegedly under pressure from the ruling party or intelligence agencies.
Before the 2024 election, two little-known parties — Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM) and Bangladesh Supreme Party, collectively dubbed the “King’s Party” — were granted registration, even though neither their leaders nor their activities were known to the public. EC officials later admitted that the decision had been made under instruction from the ousted Awami League government.
Similarly, two parties were also registered under similar circumstances ahead of the 2014 election.
