26 parties, mostly small ones, in polls
At least 26 out of the 44 registered political parties have decided to take part in the January 7 national election.
Only five of those had seats in the ninth parliament formed after the 2008 election, the last "accepted election" in the country.
Twelve parties ran in the 2014 election which was boycotted by the BNP and most other opposition parties. Although 39 parties participated in the 2018 election, the results were rejected by the BNP and several other parties, citing widespread irregularities.
This time, 14 parties have decided not to run because they are unwilling to compete in polls under the Awami League government. Leaders of some of those parties said they are being pressured from different quarters to take part in the election.
However, four parties are still undecided about running.
The Daily Star recently interviewed leaders of 37 parties and examined the documents submitted to the Election Commission by seven other parties to learn about their stance on the election.
The EC announced the polls schedule on November 15. The announcement came at a time when the BNP and its allies are waging a movement demanding resignation of the government and polls under a non-party interim administration.
With the government trying to bring as many registered parties to the polls as possible, a number of little-known and recently-formed parties have started announcing that they will participate in the election.
Political analysts say these parties are being propped up to make the January 7 election appear democratic.
Such moves are seen by many as part of the government's attempts to have more parties on the opposition bench in the next parliament, as the Jatiya Party's role as the main opposition over the last two parliaments has been criticised.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday reiterated that many political parties and individuals would eventually decide to run.
PARTIES IN POLLS
The 26 parties that have decided to take part in the polls are the Awami League, Jatiya Party (Manju), Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal, Krishak Shramik Janata League, Gonotantri Party, Bangladesh National Awami Party, Workers Party of Bangladesh, Bikolpodhara Bangladesh, Jatiya Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu), Zaker Party, Bangladesh Tarikat Federation, National People's Party, Gono Front, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (Mukit), Islamic Front Bangladesh, Bangladesh Kalyan Party, Islami Oikya Jote, Bangladesh Islami Front, Bangladesh Muslim League, Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote, Bangladesh Nationalist Front, Bangladesh Congress, Trinamool BNP, Bangladesh Nationalist Movement, and Bangladesh Supreme Party.
Only five of those -- the AL, Jatiya Party, Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, and Jatiya Party (Manju) -- had representation in the ninth parliament.
Seven of them this time have written to the EC to allow them to use the AL's electoral symbol "boat". They are Jatiya Party (Manju), Samyabadi Dal, Gonotantri Party, National Awami Party, Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu), and Tarikat Federation.
Some little-known parties like Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote and Bangladesh Congress said they were planning to field candidates in all 300 constituencies.
PARTIES BOYCOTTING POLLS
The 14 parties which have decided not to run are the BNP, Liberal Democratic Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rob), Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (Partha), Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh, Gonoforum, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Bangladesh Biplobi Workers Party, Jatiyatabadi Gonotantrik Andolon, Insaniat Biplob Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Ambia).
Speaking to this newspaper, several leaders of these parties said they would not participate in the elections without a neutral polls-time administration.
The four parties that are still undecided about running are Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Bangladesh Muslim League (Lantern), Bangladesh National Awami Party and Khelafat Majlish.
Bangladesh National Awami Party Secretary General Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan told this newspaper that his party was yet to decide on taking part in the election.
He, however, recently sent a letter to the EC saying his party gave him the authority to sign the nomination papers of the party candidates. The Daily Star has obtained a copy of the letter.
Leaders of nine Islamist parties, including Khelafat Andolon, Bangladesh Muslim League, and Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh, met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Gono Bhaban Thursday night.
The premier requested the leaders to take part in the election, and they assured her of running, two leaders present at the meeting told The Daily Star.
Asked about joining polls, leaders of Khelafat Andolon and Muslim League yesterday said they would make a decision soon.
However, Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam Secretary General Manjurul Islam said the party would not take part in the election.
The party also suspended its Vice President Shahinur Pasha Chowdhury, who met the PM on Thursday night, for "violating party discipline", according to a press release.