Next step on cancelling AL's reg after govt order: EC

The Election Commission (EC) has said it will determine the next step in revoking the registration of the Awami League (AL) as a political party after receiving a government order pertaining to the ban of the ousted party, reports bdnews24.com.

Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker said the EC will do what is "required of it" to follow the government order.

"The EC will do what is needed to follow the law on the condition of the order issued by the government. When it reaches us, we will do what is required based on that," he said on Sunday.

According to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), the registration of a political party is revoked if it is declared banned.

Facing demands from the National Citizen Party (NCP)-formed by student leaders of the July Uprising-and several Islamist groups including Jamaat-e-Islami, the interim government decided to outlaw the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

A circular on this will be issued on the next working day following the decision of the Advisory Council on Saturday night, Law Advisor Asif Nazrul said on Saturday night.

He outlined three key resolutions, the most consequential being a nationwide ban on all Awami League activities-including digital operations-until a final verdict is reached in a pending tribunal case.

The meeting greenlighted amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act. According to the amendments, the International Crimes Tribunal will be able to penalise any political party, its affiliates or support groups.