HC questions legality of EC advertisement for new party registration

The High Court on Tuesday questioned the legality of the public advertisement published by the Election Commission asking for applications from political parties for registration.

The EC published the advertisement in accordance with clause 90(B) of the Representation of the People's Order (RPO).

It issued a rule to the respondents to explain why the advertisement published on March 10, 2025, should not be declared illegal as it violates the spirit of the definition of a political party described in Article 152 of the Constitution and frustrates the recommendations made by the Election System Reform Commission.

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Election Commission Secretary, and others have been asked to comply with the rule.

The High Court also stayed the operation of the advertisement for registering political parties with the Election Commission for three months, as far as it relates to the petitioner's party, 'Rastro Sangskar Andolon'.

The High Court bench of Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice K M Rasheduzzaman Raja passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by Hasnat Quaiyum, Chief Coordinator of the Rastro Sangskar Andolon.

Lawyer Abeda Gulrukh appeared in the court hearing on behalf of the writ petitioner.

According to the writ petition, "Section 90(B) of the RPO was inserted by the Army-backed Election Commission and later ratified by the prospective Fascist Government to restrain pro-people politicians and political parties from participating in the election and to secure the political arena only for the wealthy individuals.

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