AL, JP go for registration after Eid

Awami League (AL) and Jatiya Party (JP) will apply to the Election Commission (EC) for registration after Eid-ul-Fitr by amending party constitutions as the EC in a new proposal yesterday relaxed a few provisions for political parties' registration.
Jamaat-e-Islami, which opposed registration at its recent talks with the EC, might also consider registering now as they welcomed the new proposal, according to party leaders.
A political party wishing to contest the parliamentary election slated for December 18 must apply to the EC by October 15 for registration.
In its new proposal, the EC said political parties unable to hold national council now to amend their constitutions to meet the registration criteria can get registered by making necessary provisional changes to their constitutions.
But these parties must decide at their highest policymaking bodies to bring the necessary amendments to their constitutions at national councils within six months of the first session of ninth parliament, says the proposal.
The AL will hold an emergency meeting of its Central Working Committee and the JP will hold an extended meeting within a week after Eid-ul-Fitr to amend a few provisions in their constitutions.
The AL might call a preliminary meeting of its highest decision making body before the Eid to discuss the matter, sources said, adding that it would hold council session to get the amendments approved after the election.
The AL has already discussed the matter in the party forum. Acting AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam informed party chief Sheikh Hasina, who is now in the US for treatment, of it and took necessary guidelines from her.
"We have no problem in getting registered with the Election Commission...We will amend our constitution after getting approval of the council session," AL Presidium member Motia Chowdhury told The Daily Star yesterday.
"It is not possible for us to convene a council session for the amendments right now," Motia said. She, however, said problems would arise if new leadership is elected in the council and it does not approve the amendments.
Welcoming the new proposal, acting AL President Zillur Rahman told reporters at his Gulshan residence that the EC realised that it would not be possible for the political parties to get registered with it by amending their constitutions within such a short time.
Both Zillur and Motia alleged that the registration provisions have been made easier for Jamaat's benefit.
Meanwhile, acting JP Chairman barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud told The Daily Star last night that they would hold an extended meeting of the party to amend their constitution within seven days after the Eid.
Welcoming the new proposal, he also said the commission finally realised that it was not possible for the political parties to amend their constitutions in a short time.
"As the laws have been made easy now, I hope all political parties will get registered with the Election Commission," he said, expressing hope that the nation would see a free and fair election after the parties register with the EC.
Acting Jamaat Secretary General Muhammad Kamaruzzaman said, "We will have no objection [to getting registered] if the Election Commission really makes the procedures easier."
Talking to The Daily Star, he said, "They would take decision regarding registration in the party forum after receiving the gazette of the new proposals."
On amending the party constitution, the Jamaat leader said complexities might arise if the next council does not approve the amendments.