In a bid to secure registration with Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC), the National Citizen Party (NCP) delivered a staggering 43,316 pages of documents to the Nirbachan Bhaban by truck.
Yet, despite this monumental effort, the NCP failed to pass the EC’s initial scrutiny, highlighting the stringent requirements for new political parties vying for official recognition.
Truckload of effort, but not enough
On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, EC Additional Secretary KM Ali Newaz announced that the NCP, along with 61 other parties, did not meet the primary selection criteria. The EC has granted these parties a 15-day window to address deficiencies in their applications. “Letters will be sent to 62 parties in the first phase, with others to follow,” Newaz stated. “Any errors or gaps must be rectified within 15 days.”
The NCP’s submission was spearheaded by party president Nasiruddin Patwari, accompanied by member secretary Akhtar Hossain, chief organizer (northern region) Sarjis Alam, and senior joint convener Samantha Sharmin. Speaking to journalists outside the Election House, Patwari emphasized the party’s commitment: “We brought all required documents in a truck to meet the EC’s registration conditions. Our delegation personally submitted the original application.”
Stringent criteria for registration
The EC imposes rigorous requirements for registering new political parties, ensuring only well-organized groups with genuine support qualify. These include:
Active Central Office: The party must maintain a functional headquarters.
District-Level Presence: An effective committee must be established in at least one-third of Bangladesh’s administrative districts.
Voter Support: The party must provide documented support from at least 200 voters across 100 upazilas or metropolitan police stations.
Documentation: The application must include the party’s constitution, election manifesto (if available), rules (if any), images of the party logo and flag, a list of central committee members, and details of the party’s bank account with its latest status.
Once an application is received, the EC conducts a thorough review. Parties meeting all conditions are awarded a registration certificate and an official party symbol. Currently, 50 parties are registered with the EC.
NCP’s uphill battle
The NCP’s failure to clear the initial scrutiny underscores the challenges new parties face in meeting the EC’s high standards. Despite submitting over 43,000 pages of documents, gaps in their application—whether in organizational structure, voter support, or documentation—have prompted the EC to demand corrections. The 15-day grace period offers a lifeline, but the clock is ticking for the NCP and others to refine their submissions.