Zakir Hossain From Dhaka
The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has suspended the registration of the Awami League, the party headed by ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following a government order issued under the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance and Section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed the decision at a press briefing Monday night. The order, signed by him, has been forwarded for official gazette publication. Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Home Affairs banned all activities—publications, media appearances, social media campaigns, rallies, and meetings—of the Awami League and its affiliated and like-minded bodies. The ban will remain until trials of its leaders and activists conclude at the International Crimes Tribunal.
“Considering the government’s notification, the commission has suspended the party’s registration,” said Akhtar Ahmed. Party registration is mandatory for contesting parliamentary polls, making the Awami League ineligible for upcoming elections. The party, registered since 2008 with electoral symbol ‘boat’, held registration number 6. With this, the number of registered political parties in Bangladesh now stands at 49.
Previously, five parties including Jamaat-e-Islami and the Freedom Party lost registration due to legal or compliance issues. Under Article 90 Ja (1), Clause 1(b) of the Representation of the People Order, a party’s registration can be cancelled if banned by the government.