The Election Commission published a gazette on Tuesday, finalising the registrations of National Citizen Party (NCP) and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal-Marxist.
The commission however placed the registration of eight parties, including Rafiqul Amin’s Bangladesh Aam Jonogon Party, under review.
Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed made the disclosure at a briefing held in the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban on Tuesday afternoon.
Akhtar stated that 143 political parties had applied for registration. In the first phase, 121 applications were rejected, and the remaining 22 parties were shortlisted.
Notices for three of these parties – the National Citizen Party (NCP), the Bangladesh Aam Jonogon Party, and the Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal-Marxist – were subsequently published in newspapers.
The senior secretary added that no objections were received against the NCP and BSD-Marxist. Therefore, their registration was finalised, and the gazette was published.
“There are objections against the Bangladesh Aam Jonogon Party. A decision regarding this party will be made after reviewing these objections,” Akhtar pointed out.
He further mentioned that the commission has decided to review seven shortlisted parties. These are – Bangladesh Baker Mukti Parishad, Bangladesh Ganatantrik Party (BGP), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD (Shahjahan Siraj), Jatiyo Janata party, Bangladesh Justice and Development Party, Amjonatar Dal, and Jonatar Dal.
Responding to a query, the senior secretary said, “If anyone gets registration at the last moment, they will not get a level playing field. This is the reality.”
In response to another question about how long parties in the list would face repeated reviews, Akhtar said, “For as long as the commission deems necessary.”
Regarding whether the commission has received any instructions about a referendum, he stated, “We have not received any directives concerning a referendum so far. As soon as we receive instructions, we will inform the media about the commission’s plan of action.”
However, Akhtar noted that the commission is internally discussing the matter of a referendum.
When asked if the Jatiya Party and components of the 14-party alliance would be invited to the dialogue, he said, “More information will be available on Wednesday, so please wait until the commission process is complete.”
