The Islamist political party Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh has had its registration reinstated by the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC), along with the return of its traditional 'Daripalla' (scale) electoral symbol. The party has re-obtained its registration and symbol after a prolonged legal battle.
A gazette notification signed by Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Tuesday (June 24) announced the reinstatement of Jamaat's registration with the 'Daripalla' symbol.
The notification stated: "Whereas, in response to an application for registration as a political party under the Representation of the People Order, 1972, and in accordance with the conditions of Article 90B of this Order, the party named Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was granted registration through Election Commission Secretariat notification number NIKAS/Pro-3/RAD/5(44)/2008/1141 dated November 5, 2008 / Kartik 21, 1415 (Registration No.-014, Date: November 4, 2008); and whereas, the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was cancelled through Election Commission Secretariat notification dated Kartik 13, 1425 / October 28, 2018, pursuant to the judgment delivered in Writ Petition No.-630 of 2009 filed in the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court."
It further added: "Whereas, in Civil Appeal No. 139 of 2013 with Civil Petition for Leave to Appeal No. 3112 of 2013, the Appellate Division cancelled the judgment delivered in Writ Petition No.-630 of 2009 filed in the High Court Division and ordered the reinstatement of the party's registration; therefore, in light of the judgment delivered by the Appellate Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No. 139 of 2013 with Civil Petition for Leave to Appeal No. 3112 of 2013, the Election Commission's notification dated October 28, 2018, regarding the cancellation of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's registration is hereby cancelled, and the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, along with its party symbol, is reinstated."
Earlier, on June 1, the Appellate Division overturned the High Court's verdict that had declared Jamaat-e-Islami's registration as a political party illegal. At that time, the Appellate Division's order stated that the Election Commission (EC) would decide on the matter of Jamaat's 'Daripalla' symbol.
