EC moves to revoke registrations of ‘inactive’ political parties without offices, committees

The Election Commission has moved to revoke the registrations of political parties that failed to provide information regarding office spaces and committees.

Oikkabaddho Nagorik Andolon, one of the parties headed by former chairman of Proshika Kazi Faruk Ahmed, which emerged during military-backed caretaker government a decade ago, is likely to face cancellation as well.

The EC will decide on the Oikkabaddho Nagorik Andolon’s registration before the election because the party has not responded to the EC’s query on updated information of central office and committee, audit report and others after several contacts.

Some of the 40 parties registered with EC could not show any existence of office or other activities, said EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed adding it will take necessary measures against them.

“Some of the parties do not have any office or even a contact person; they never submit any document when asked. We have written to Oikkabaddho Nagorik Andolon three times without getting any response,” an EC official toldbdnews24.com

Oikkabaddho Nagorik Andolon Secretary Abdus Samad Pintu acknowledged that they did not have an office, adding that they are meeting at the residence of the party president and that their committee has not been updated. They failed to submit information requested by the EC, he said.

“We will try our best to remain registered with the EC; however, we will continue to run the party independently if we fail to do so,” he said.

The party was previously warned by the EC in 2010, however no steps were taken.

Kazi Karuk Ahmed

A proposal to revoke the party before the upcoming national election will be presented to the commission and a gazette will be issued if it is approved, said an EC official tasked with scrutinising registration.

Oikkabaddho Nagorik Andolon emerged as a political party on Oct 8, 2008 but ceased its regular activities once the founder president Kazi Karuk Ahmed was removed from the position of Proshika Chairman by its committee of directors on May 24, 2009 following an internal feud.

EC DENIES REGISTRATION TO SQ CHOWDHURY’S NDP

The Election Commission sticks to its decision to deny registration to the National Democratic Party or NDP even after it went to the court several times, as it lacks continued activity since the sixth national parliament.

NDP, a political party established by Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, who was hanged for committing war crimes, failed to get political party registration after going to court in 2008 and 2013. The party recently tried once more in the light of the upcoming general election. 

The High Court asked the EC to consider the registration issue after the appeal hearing by the party on Mar 12.

The EC wrote to NDP Chairman Khondokar Golam Mortaza denying its registration as the party did not participate in the 1996 and 2001 elections.

“NDP brought orders from the court to consider the registration; however, the EC has followed the orders and scrutinised everything that showed the party does not fulfil all criteria for registration. Therefore, the commission cannot register it as a political party,” said EC Deputy Secretary Md Abdul Halim Khan.