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With the 13th parliamentary election approaching, the Election Commission (EC) has granted party registration to the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal Marxist.
EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told journalists at a briefing on Tuesday afternoon at EC headquarters that a formal gazette had been issued, the two parties had been registered and allocated election symbols, bdnews24.com reports.
The EC headed by AMM Nasir Uddin took more than eight months to register new political parties.
Initial scrutiny rejected 121 applications for registration as political parties for failing to fulfill conditions.
In September, the EC announced its decision to grant registration to only two political parties. But the decision was changed later. Three parties have been selected for registration.
On Nov 4, the EC in a notification announced its decision to register the three new parties. Bangladesh Aam Jonogon Party has been given the “Handshake” symbol.
Registration for the first two has now been finalised.
Registration was made mandatory for political parties to contest parliamentary elections in 2008. With the latest additions, the number of registered parties now stands at 55.
The Awami League’s registration remains suspended, while the registrations of the Freedom Party, Oikyoboddho Nagorik Andolon, and Progressive Democratic Party have been cancelled.
The EC led by ATM Shamsul Huda registered 39 parties ahead of the ninth parliamentary election.
The commission under Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad registered two parties before the tenth election.
The KM Nurul Huda-led EC found no party eligible for registration ahead of the 11 election, though some were added later by court order.
The EC under Kazi Habibul Awal registered two parties before the twelfth election. The commission headed by AMM Nasir Uddin has now registered two parties.