The Election Commission (EC) is set to invite all registered political parties, including the Jatiya Party (JaPa) and other allies of the ousted Awami League, to a dialogue ahead of the parliamentary election expected in February next year.
The development comes amid widespread debate over whether the EC would invite JaPa and the Awami League’s coalition partners, as the parties were not included in recent discussions held by the National Consensus Commission or the interim government.
However, the EC believes that excluding any registered political party could create controversy over the election process. The constitutional body has therefore decided to extend invitations to all registered parties.
Sources said the commission’s public relations department has drafted a preliminary schedule for dialogue beginning on 13 November. The list also includes JaPa and parties formerly aligned with the Awami League — which has had its registration suspended.
In May, the EC suspended the registration of the Awami League after the government issued a gazette notification banning all activities of the party, citing alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising.
Currently, 53 political parties are registered with the EC, while three more — including the National Citizen Party (NCP) — are in the process of registration.
Several EC officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said separate meetings with individual parties would not be possible due to time constraints before the election schedule is announced. While 13 November remains the tentative start date, it has yet to be finalised.
Dialogues will be held in two sessions per day — morning and afternoon. The EC has taken a policy decision to invite the Jatiya Party and other AL allies. As registered entities, the commission is required to include them. Unless a party is formally banned by the government, the EC cannot exclude it, officials said.
To avoid disruption, ideologically aligned parties will be grouped together for discussions. The three parties whose registration has been finalised may face delays due to objections or hearings and will therefore be invited on the final day.
Officials said the dialogue would not follow a fixed agenda. Instead, the EC will seek recommendations and opinions from parties on election preparations, while also outlining the commission’s own plans.
Copies of the electoral code of conduct will be distributed to all participants, as the document is considered key to the election process. If parties submit objections or proposals, amendments may be considered, officials added.
EC Public Relations Director Md Ruhul Amin Mallik said, “The plan is to begin the dialogue between 13 and 20 November, but the final decision has not yet been made by the Commission.”
Asked about inviting the Jatiya Party, he said, “The draft list includes all registered parties.”
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told TIMES of Bangladesh, “Once the candidate and party code of conduct is published in the gazette, the dialogue schedule will be finalised. The gazette may be finalised by tomorrow (today).”
When asked whether Jatiya Party and Awami League alliance partners would be included, he said, “We will place the matter before the commission. The Election Commission will take the final decision.”
The EC has already held a series of consultations with key stakeholders, including representatives from civil society, academia, women’s groups and the media. Discussions with political parties and election observer organisations were expected in October but were delayed due to complications over party and observer registration.
