Leaders from the National Citizen Party (NCP) submitted their applications to the Election Commission (EC) seeking registration as a political party on Sunday, the final day for the process.
An NCP delegation went to Nirbachan Bhaban at 4pm and submitted the relevant documents.
“We’ve submitted our application (to EC) after fulfilling all registration-related conditions in line with the RPO,” said NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossain.
He said NCP has sought the “Shapla,” water lily in English, as its electoral symbol. If it is not possible to allot Water Lily, the party requested Pen or Mobile symbol.
The NCP delegation members also include its chief organiser (northern region) Sarjis Alam, chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary and senior joint convener Samantha Sharmin.
Besides, many other parties submitted the registration application on the last day.
The parties include Janatar Party Bangladesh (JPB), Ganadal, Bangladesh Janajote Party (BAJPA), Bangladesh Republican Party (BRP), Bangladesh Samata Party, Bangladesh Faraezi Andolon, Bangladesh Citizen Party, Islami Oikya Jote, Notun Bangladesh Party (NBP), Bangladesh Jagrat Janata Party, Bangladesh Gano Biplobi Party, National Awami Party (Bhasani NAP), Bangladesh Khudra Nrigoshthi Federation, Janatar Dal, Bangladesh Muktijoddha Janata Party, Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal (ML), Bangladesh Nagorik Party (BNP), Jatiyo Nyaybichar Party, Bangladesh Democratic Party (BDP) and National Democratic Party (NDP).
JPB seeks ‘elephant’ as symbol
Janata Party Bangladesh (JPB) applied for registration with a request to use the elephant as its electoral symbol.
Submitting the application at Nirbachan Bhaban, JPB Secretary General Shawkat Mahmud said, “We’ve filed the application for political party registration. The current registration rules are difficult to comply with. Although the Electoral Reform Commission has proposed changes, those haven’t been implemented yet. Even so, we’ve submitted our application under the existing rules and expect to be registered.”
He said JPB supports reforms and would cooperate with the EC if rule changes are implemented.
Janatar Dal wants ‘key’ as symbol
Another applicant, Janatar Dal, filed its application requesting the key as its symbol.
Jannatar Dal convener Brig Gen (retd) Shamim Kamal and member secretary Azam Khan submitted the application. “We’ve fulfilled all registration conditions and formed district and upazila committees as required by the law. The rest now depends on the Commission,” Shamim Kamal told reporters after filing their application.
On 10 March, the EC invited applications from new political parties seeking registration by 20 April. A total of 65 parties applied within the deadline. The commission later extended the deadline until 22 June.
New political parties are registered under Article 90A of the Representation of the People Order, 1972. If a party is registered with the EC, it can contest the national election with its own electoral symbol.
Now, 50 parties are registered with the EC. The registration of Bangladesh Awami League remains suspended, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is set to regain its registration following a court order.
