The Election Commission on Sunday witnessed a last-minute surge of political parties submitting their registration applications, as the deadline approached for entry into Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election.
By midday Sunday, at least two dozens of political groups had submitted their applications.
The scene outside the EC office turned increasingly lively as party leaders arrived in person—some even arriving in traditional horse-drawn carriages with their supporters in tow.
While some party representatives openly spoke to journalists, highlighting their proposed names and electoral symbols, others submitted their applications discreetly.
Despite the diversity of party names, all applicants claimed to have met the EC’s registration requirements and expressed confidence that their applications would be accepted.
Among the parties that submitted applications by Sunday afternoon were — National Citizen Party, Jonotar Party Bangladesh, Gonodol, Bangladesh Jonojot Party, Bangladesh Republic Party, Bangladesh Samata Party, Bangladesh Faraizi Andolon, Bangladesh Citizen Party, Islami Oikya Jote, Notun Bangladesh Party, Bangladesh Jagrata Jonota Party, Bangladesh Gonobiplobi Party, National Awami Party (Bhashani NAP), Bangladesh Ethnic Minority Federation, Jonotar Dol, Bangladesh Muktijoddha Jonota Party, Socialist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nagorik Party, Jatio Naye Bichar Party, Bangladesh Democratic Party, and National Democratic Party.
After submitting registration application NCP member secretary Akter Hossain said that they sought water lily, pen and mobile phone as electoral symbols.
He said that their first choice is water lily.
Jonotar Party Bangladesh submitted its application with a request for the elephant as their electoral symbol.
Registered political parties are entitled to contest elections using an official symbol.
Candidates from registered parties can run under that symbol, while independents contest without one.
The EC originally invited registration applications from interested parties on March 10.
By April 20, a total of 65 new parties had submitted applications.
Following requests from 46 parties including NCP, the EC extended the deadline by two months to June 22, which ends Sunday.
After the departure of the previous EC in August 2024, the current commission, led by AMM Nasir Uddin, was formed on November 21.
On March 10, the commission issued a public notice inviting registration applications from new political parties.
Under the prevailing rules, parties must submit 10 key documents along with a non-refundable registration fee of Tk 5,000.
To qualify, a new party must maintain an active central office, a functional executive committee in at least one-third of the country’s administrative districts, and demonstrate support from at least 200 voters in 100 upazilas.
Additionally, applications must include the party’s constitution, manifesto (if available), rules and regulations (if applicable), logo and flag images, full list of its central committee members, and proof of bank account with recent balance statement — all submitted on official party letterhead.
Once received, the EC will begin reviewing and verifying the applications.
If a party meets all conditions, it will be granted registration along with an electoral symbol.
At present, 50 political parties are officially registered with the Election Commission.
The Bangladesh Awami League’s registration has recently been suspended, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has regained its registration through a court order.
Since August 2024, six political parties have received EC registration under court directives.