The Election Commission is set to register another bunch of political parties to contest in the upcoming elections. In connection with this idea, the commission, on Thursday, gave registration to the newly formed Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote, as the 40th political party in the country that could take part in the upcoming parliamentary poll. The newly formed Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF) is also likely to get its registration from the commission, Election Commission (EC) sources said.
EC official Misbahuddin Ahmed, on Thursday, handed over the registration certificate to Abu Layes Munna, the chief of the board of directors of the party. However, the party’s official spokesman told the media that “We are not going to take part in upcoming election, without incorporating the views of our grass-roots-level workers.” Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote could use ‘Cane” as its party symbol.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF) is likely to get its registration from the EC soon, but it will not be allowed to use “sheaf of wheat” or “paddy plant” as its party symbol, EC member Mohammad Shahnewaz said.
A group of former BNP leaders, including Nazmul Huda and Prof. Jahanara Begum, had floated BNF on August 2012. Huda has recently resigned from the party.
It was alleged that the EC has allowed BNF extra time to fulfil the rules of RPO. A joint secretary of the commission has been transferred recently from the EC, as he had raised his voice against the process, it was learnt.
According to the information, BNF has successfully establish 21 offices at district level in the last few months, which is mandatory to get registration from the EC.
EC is already scrutinising their details and their results will be published by November 2013, as the present Parliament is expected to be dissolved, according to him.
The EC, on November, issued a public circular, asking the political parties intending to get registered with it to submit applications by December 31, 2012, ahead of the next parliamentary election to be held by January 24, 2014.
It may be mentioned that political parties willing to take part in parliamentary elections must be registered with the EC.
-With The Independent input
