EC issues public notice asking new political parties to register by 29 August

The Election Commission has issued a public notice urging new and unregistered political parties to register.

New political parties, fulfilling certain conditions, have to apply for registration by 29 August reads a public notice signed by Election Commission Secretary Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker, issued on Thursday.

It is noteworthy that only registered political parties can take part in the election.

Once applications are received, they will be reviewed for the accuracy of documents and verification of field level information of the parties, which will take several months. It may be possible to finalise the registration by the end of December this year, said sources at the Election Commission.

Political parties interested in registering have to apply on their letterhead pads and attach documents, namely, party constitution, logo and flag image, detailed source of party funds, the bank account in the name of the party, and the latest statement of account.

Also to be submitted is a list of the central executive committee, election manifesto (if any), rules and regulations of the party (if any), power of attorney issued in favour of the person concerned for application for registration of party, and copy of treasury invoice of registration fee deposit, etc.

Earlier in 2008, the Election Commission, led by former chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda, first introduced the system of registration of political parties by amending the law. At that time, 39 parties were registered.

Later, the commission under Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed upheld the same provision, and five more new parties registered during his time.

Three conditions were given at that time for registration and the court ordered cancelling the registration of five political parties – Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Freedom Party, Oikyabaddha Nagorik Andolon, PDP, and Jatiya Ganotantrik Party – as they failed to fulfil the conditions of registration.