Jamaat seeking a new garb?
A total of 80 political parties has applied for registration with the Election Commission, many with "bizarre and unusual names".
Bangladesh Development Party, which, many believe, is Jamaat in disguise, was one of the parties seeking the registration. Besides, Amar Bangladesh Party, founded by former leaders of Jamaat, also applied for registration as a political party.
Election Commission Deputy Secretary Abdul Halim Khan said they would review all 80 applications.
"We will send our recommendation to the Election Commission for their approval soon," he told The Daily Star yesterday evening, last day of submission of application.
If a political party cannot fulfill conditions, it will not be registered, said Election Commissioner Md Alamgir while talking to reporters.
"We will form committees, they will review the information and documents provided by the parties in the light of all the issues including our constitution and RPO," he said as reporters drew his attention that some Jamaat leaders have applied for registration under different names.
Jamaat's registration as a political party was announced illegal by the High Court in 2013. Following the verdict, the EC in October 2018 cancelled its registration.
Jamaat's registration as a political party was announced illegal by the High Court in 2013. Following the verdict, the EC in October 2018 cancelled its registration.
Alamgir hoped that the registration process would be completed by May 2023.
BIZARRE NAMES
Several EC officials said this year they have received applications from political parties that have "weird, unusual and funny names".
"We cannot find meaning of some of the names," said an EC official, involved in preparing list of parties that sought registration.
They provided some examples of names including Bairabairy Party, Mushkil League, Naakphool Bangladesh, Bangladesh Ittady Party, Naitik Samaj and Bangladesh Bekar Samaj.
The EC on May 26 started the registration process for new political parties ahead of the 12th National Election, likely to be held late December 2023 or early January 2024.
EC Alamgir also said the commission is planning to hold election to the Rangpur City Corporation in late December of early January using electronic voting machine and bringing all polling centres under the coverage of CCTV cameras.
"We are planning to announce the schedule in November," he said.
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