Court to deliver verdict on Jamaat-e-Islami’s registration appeal Jun 1

The party lawyer says a written clarification on the electoral symbol has been sought from the court

The Appellate Division will deliver its verdict on Jun 1 in Jamaat-e-Islami’s appeal against a High Court ruling that revoked its registration as a political party.

A four-member bench led by Chief Justice Syed Reefat Ahmed concluded the hearing on Wednesday and set the date for the decision.

Jamaat was represented by lawyers Ehsan Abdullah Siddique and Mohammad Shishir Manir, while Touhidul Islam argued on behalf of the Election Commission (EC).

Following the hearing, Shishir said: “We told the court that both the cancellation of Jamaat’s registration and the abolition of the caretaker government system had politicised the judiciary. Those behind the cancellation effectively used the High Court to serve political ends.”

“We hope that, based on our arguments, Jamaat will regain its registration on June 1,” he added.

Jamaat was banned in the final months of the now-ousted Awami League government, allegedly due to its involvement in violence during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.

The ban was lifted by the interim government after Jamaat submitted a formal request. A written clarification regarding the party’s electoral symbol has also been sought from the court, according to Jamaat’s legal team.

If the verdict goes in Jamaat’s favour and the EC restores its registration, the party — which was in a ruling coalition with the BNP from 2001 to 2006 — will once again be eligible to contest in elections.