The Jamaat-e-Islami has been barred from contesting in local government elections, although contestants in these polls can stand with the party emblems now.
The Cabinet approved the proposed amendments to five laws on Monday to let registered political parties contest local government elections with their own symbols. One of the amendments will soon come into effect in the form of an ordinance, while the other four would be passed by Parliament.
The International Crimes Tribunal marked Jamaat-e-Islami as a ‘criminal party’ for its opposition to the 1971 Liberation War and the crimes committed by its members.
The Jamaat currently does not have the right to take part in national elections as the High Court declared its registration illegal on August 1, 2013.
The party could not take part in the 10th parliamentary election held on January 5, 2014 as a result of the HC order. Other than that, BNP-Jamaat alliance had boycotted the polls, paving the way for the Awami League’s second successive return to power.
Though barred from contesting national elections, several Jamaat-backed candidates took part in city corporation, Upazila and by-polls. A dozen of Jamaat leaders have won the elections as well.
In the last Upazila Parishad election, war crimes convict Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee’s son contested and won with party backing from Pirojpur.
The Jamaat-e-Islami’s appeal against the revocation of its registration was rejected by the Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division.
Jamaat counselor Md Belayet Hossain said there has been no initiative in conducting the appeal hearing. He added that the party cannot take part in any further steps as Jamaat’s senior counselor Barrister Abdur Razzak is currently abroad.
He expressed that the passing of the five proposed amendments will seal Jamaat’s chances of contesting polls.
The Election Commission had allotted the weighing balance (Dari Palla) as the Jamaat’s party emblem.
The party was given registration on the basis of its promise that it will revise the constitution and lift the constitutional pillars that clash with Bangladesh’s constitution.
Jamaat-e-Islami is still one of the listed political parties, but a HC order has cancelled its registration.
“The Jamaat do not have registration. It has been revoked following the court’s order. The party will not be able to contest in polls now,” Election Commissioner Md Shah Newaz said.
Source: Ittefaq
