No new political party was registered from the Election Commission, EC, this year, ahead of the national polls.
Though 2 parties of the 76 applications for political accreditation passed primary assessment, they fumbled in the final assessment.
Their applications were dismissed since they failed to meet field level conditions, confirmed EC secretary, Helaluddin Ahmed.
It’s known that after application, EC carried out field level investigation of two parties, Bangladesh Congress and Gono Azadi League.
The investigation did not find the required number of officers essential as a pre- condition for a party to be considered for registration.
Keeping the 11th national elections in mind, the current election commission led by KM Nurul Huda gave a public advertisement, requesting applications for new party registration.
Against this, 76 parties applied.
After preliminary assessment, 19 applications were cancelled and the rest were given letters asking for detailed information.
For not replying, eight others were dismissed and, finally, from the remaining 49, only two were selected.
After the introduction of the registration system in 2008, 38 parties were registered; then, four others were registered in the 9th and 10th parliament.
Currently, there are 39 registered political parties which can compete in the upcoming elections under their respective symbols.
Conditions for registration as per registration laws, 2008: 1. If the party has had one MP in an election held after independence, 2. receives 5 per cent total votes, 3. One central office, effective committees in one third of total districts which means 21 offices and written support of at least 200 voters in at least 100 thanas or upazilas.