taff Reporter:
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said on Sunday that the Election Commission would decide on the registration of the Awami League only after the government’s decision is published in a gazette notification.
“Once the gazette is issued, we will convene a commission meeting—possibly as early as tomorrow. I cannot make the decision alone. The law outlines the procedures if the government bans the activities of a political party,” he told reporters.
The CEC clarified that the Election Commission’s authority is limited to cancelling a party’s registration, while the government has the power to ban its activities.
“We do not require any separate instruction from the government. The gazette itself will trigger the process,” he said.
His remarks come a day after the government held an emergency meeting in response to a two-day movement by the National Citizen Party, which led to a decision to ban the activities of the Awami League.
At the meeting, the Advisory Council approved amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act, granting the tribunal authority to prosecute and punish political parties, their affiliates and supporter groups for crimes against humanity.
It was also decided that all activities of the Awami League—including digital operations—would be banned under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the trial of the party and its leaders is complete. The move aims to protect national security, ensure the safety of the July Movement activists and safeguard plaintiffs and witnesses involved in tribunal proceedings.
