EC Registers Two New Parties for 13th Parliamentary Election

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh, led by AMM Nasir Uddin, has officially granted party registration to two new political entities—the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal Marxist (BaSaD Marxist) ahead of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. The EC issued a formal gazette announcing the registration and allocation of election symbols on Tuesday afternoon.

National Citizen Party (NCP): Allocated the election symbol Shapla Koli (water lily bud).

Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal Marxist (BaSaD Marxist): Allocated the election symbol Kanchi (scissors).

The registration process, which is mandatory for parties to contest parliamentary elections since 2008, took the EC more than eight months to finalize, A total of 143 parties initially applied for registration, with the deadline extended to June 22. Initial scrutiny rejected 121 applications for failing to fulfill the required conditions.

While the EC initially selected three parties for registration—including Bangladesh Aam Jonogon Party, which was allocated the "Handshake" symbol the formal finalization confirmed registration for the two mentioned parties. With the latest additions, the total number of registered political parties in Bangladesh now stands at 55.

The Awami League's registration currently remains suspended, while the registrations of the Freedom Party, Oikyoboddho Nagorik Andolon, and Progressive Democratic Party have been cancelled.

The EC led by ATM Shamsul Huda registered 39 parties before the ninth election (2008). The Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad-led EC registered two parties before the tenth election. The KM Nurul Huda-led EC found no party eligible before the 11th election, though some were added later by court order. The Kazi Habibul Awal-led EC registered two parties before the 12th election. The current AMM Nasir Uddin-led EC has finalized the registration of two parties for the 13th election.