BNP may lose registration if boycotts polls again

All those political parties, including BNP, which boycotted the January-5 national election may lose their registrations with the Election Commission (EC) as per the Representation of the People Order 1972 (RPO) if they do not join the 11th parliamentary elections, reports UNB.

Political observers think BNP and its alliance partners will have to join the next parliamentary elections under any format of the government for the sake of their 'self-existence' as the EC has the provision of cancelling the registration of a political party for boycotting two consecutive general elections.

According to the article 90H of the Representation of the People Order 1972, the registration of a political party may be cancelled if the political party does not participate in the parliamentary elections for two consecutive terms.

If the January-5 polls boycotting political parties again skip the next national election they will get isolated from people apart from losing their organisational base and strength, the political observers said.

BNP, however, thinks they will be able to force the government to hold a fresh inclusive general election within a short time under a non-party administration as per their demand.

Former election commissioner M Shakhawat Hossain says BNP and other 10-parliament election boycotting political parties must join the next general election, no matter under which format - partisan or non-partisan administration, it is held to save their political existence.

"No party can remain out of election for a long time as it weakens its political and organisational strength. I believe most of the political parties will join the next election," he said.

About the EC's jurisdiction to cancel the registration of a political party for boycotting two consecutive parliamentary elections, Shakhawat Hossain said the Commission can take such action if it wishes to do so. "But, the aggrieved party can also go to the court challenging its (EC's) decision."