The Election Commission (EC) has sought applications from new political parties for registration which are  interested to take part in the 12th general election.

A circular in this regard was issued by EC on Thursday.

The circular signed by EC secretary Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker said the applications for registration could be submitted to it by August 29 next.

It said that with the application the applicant must submit the constitution of the party, election manifesto (if any), pictures of the party logo and flag, a list of all central leaders including their posts, the party’s bank account details, and the source of its fund, and a copy of the power of attorney by the party for the applicant.

According to the Representation of the People Order, 1972, if any political party desires to be registered, it shall fulfill one of the following conditions, i.e. (i) Secured at least one seat with its electoral symbol in any parliamentary election held since the independence of Bangladesh; or (ii) Secured five percent of total votes cast in the constituencies in which its candidates took part in any of the aforesaid parliamentary elections; or (iii) Established a functional central office by whatever name it may be called with a central committee, district office in at least one-third administrative districts, offices at least in one hundred Upazilas having a minimum number of two hundred voters.

In 2008, the then army-backed caretaker government made it obligatory for political parties to get registered with the Election Commission. At that time, Dr ATM Shamsul Huda led EC and gave registration to political parties for the first time. As many as 117 political parties applied for registration. After scrutiny, 39 political parties got registration. During the last 14 years, the EC has given registration to 44 political parties. Of those, the registration of five parties was canceled at the directive of the court as those failed to meet conditions. As a result, there are only 39 political parties registered with the EC.