Jamaat not on EC list of parties

The Election Commission (EC) has written to all registered political parties, asking them to submit their accounts. It has, however, ignored the Jamaat-e-Islami, whose registration with the commission as a political party was revoked by the High Court last year. This is the first time the Jamaat has not received any letter sent out to political parties. A High Court bench on August 1 had declared Jamaat's registration 'illegal and void’ on the ground that the party’s charter was in conflict with Bangladesh’s Constitution. The Jamaat, which is currently facing charges of crimes against humanity committed during 1971 Liberation War, had appealed against the verdict. But the matter is yet to be settled. EC Assistant Secretary Rawshan Ara confirmed that letters had been sent to the secretaries of 40 political parties through mail and special messengers, seeking statements of their financial transactions in 2013-2014. She said the parties had been asked to submit the papers, audited by a registered chartered accountant firm, by July 31. The EC had registered the Jamaat on Nov 4, 2008, following the enforcement of political party registration law. But the party lost the chance to join the 10th parliamentary polls held on January 5 this year following the cancellation of its registration. However, the BNP-led 18-party alliance, of which the Jamaat is a key ally, boycotted the polls, demanding their holding under a caretaker administration. Though the EC did not make any direct mention of the the HC order on Jamaat registration, it posted a copy of the HC verdict on its website. The Representation of the People Order makes it obligatory for political parties to submit their statements of annual financial transactions every year. The EC holds the authority to cancel the registration of a party that fails to submit such statements for three consecutive years. Last year, 26 parties had submitted statements. Twelve other parties -- JaSaD, Bangladesh Workers Party, Samyabadi Dal, Oikyabaddha Nagorik Andolon, Jatiya Party (JP), Bangladesh Muslim League, Islamic Front Bangladesh, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, Bangladesh Jatiya Party, Islami Oikya Jote, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon and Gono Forum -- did not do so. Thirty-nine parties had been registered with the EC in 2008. The Freedom Party’s registration was later revoked, according to a news agency.