Dhaka, Mar 10 (V7N) – The Election Commission (EC) has issued a public notice inviting applications from new political parties seeking registration for participation in the 13th National Parliament elections.

EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced the public notice at the Election Building in Agargaon on Monday, stating that applications can be submitted until April 20, 2025. The registration process will follow existing laws and regulations.

As per the Representation of the People Order, 1972 (Article 90A) and Political Party Registration Rules, 2008, political parties must fulfill one of the following three conditions:

  1. Previous Election Success:

    • The party must provide proof of winning at least one parliamentary seat in any election since Bangladesh’s independence.

  2. Minimum Vote Share:

    • The party must have secured at least 5% of the total votes cast in the constituencies it contested in any past parliamentary election.

  3. Organizational Strength:

    • The party must have:
      • A central committee and an active central office.
      • Effective district offices in at least one-third of administrative districts.
      • Functional offices in at least 100 upazilas/metropolitan police stations.
      • At least 200 registered voters as party members in each of these areas.

Interested political parties must submit applications on their official letterhead, including the following documents:

  • Party Constitution
  • Election Manifesto (if any)
  • Party Rules (if any)
  • Photograph of the party logo and flag
  • List of names and designations of all central executive committee members
  • Bank account details and latest balance
  • Source of party funds
  • Power of attorney for the applicant
  • Non-refundable registration fee of Tk 5,000 (to be deposited with the EC Secretariat)

Once a party is approved, the EC will issue a registration certificate (Form-3) and publish the party’s name in the official gazette.

Current Political Landscape and New Registrations

Following the fall of the Awami League government in the student-public movement, the EC has already registered five new parties:

  • Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party)
  • Gana Adhikar Parishad (GOP)
  • Nagorik Oikya
  • Gana Sanghati Andolan
  • Bangladesh Development Party

Additionally, 13 new parties have already applied for registration before the public notice was issued. Currently, 49 political parties are registered with the EC.

With preparations underway for the 13th National Parliament elections, the EC's move to expand party registration signals an effort to ensure a broadly inclusive electoral process.

END/MSS/AJ