Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Sunday asked Aam Janatar Dal member secretary Tarek Rahman to end his hunger strike and pursue the party’s registration claims through proper legal procedures.
Speaking at a briefing at Nirbachan Bhaban, Akhtar Ahmed said the EC is ready to consider the party’s request if it follows established legal channels.
“The commission has already communicated its position in writing. Now, Tarek Rahman can submit an appeal, address existing gaps, request corrections, modifications, or seek an extension of time. These are standard legal practices,” he explained.
He added that any formal appeal should be submitted through the EC secretary’s office.
Tarek Rahman began his ‘hunger strike unto death’ on Tuesday, hours after the EC approved registration for three other parties- Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist), and Bangladesh Aam Janagan Party.
By Sunday, he had spent 125 hours on strike.
The protest has drawn support from members of various political parties and civil society groups, including BNP and Gono Odhikar Parishad.
The EC had invited applications from new political parties by April 20, 2025, to secure registration ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.
The deadline was later extended to June 22, with 143 parties applying. After scrutiny, 22 parties were shortlisted for field-level verification of their registration claims.
Since the system’s introduction before the 2008 general election, 57 parties have obtained registration.
Five subsequently lost their status, while two later regained it. The registration of the ruling Awami League remains suspended.
