DE Online Desk :
The Election Commission (EC) has extended the deadline for political party registration to June 22, allowing more time for new parties to meet the requirements to contest the upcoming 13th general election.
As of Thursday, seven political parties had formally submitted their applications, while 20 others had appealed for an extension, said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.
“Considering the situation, the Commission has decided to extend the deadline for registration until June 22,” he stated.
Political parties intending to participate in the national polls must be registered with the EC, and applicants must comply with all legal prerequisites and procedural steps within the revised timeframe, the EC reiterated.
The decision followed a two-hour meeting earlier in the day between Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and leaders of the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), who urged the Commission to extend the registration deadline and submitted a set of proposals.
Today had initially been set as the final day for submitting applications for registration.
According to EC officials, the following ten parties have submitted applications so far: Bangladesh Conservative Party (BCP), Janata Congress Party, Bangladesh Probashi Kalyanmoy Party, Bangladesh Justice Party (BJP), Bangladesh Trinamool Janata Party, Bangladesh Mukti Oikya Dal, Bangladesh Janashakti Party, Bangladesh Jatiya Bhumihin Party, Bangladesh Republic Party, Bangladesh Jana Jote Party.
The EC is expected to scrutinize each application based on the Political Parties Registration Act, which outlines criteria such as organizational structure, previous electoral participation, and support base across constituencies.