Jamaat regains registration with ‘Scales’ election symbol

The Election Commission (EC) has reinstated the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, along with its electoral symbol, the scales (Dāripalla).

A formal notification was issued by the commission today (24 June).

This decision lifts all legal restrictions that previously barred Jamaat from contesting in national elections.

"Following the Appellate Division's dismissal of a petition by the High Court Division, the Election Commission's notification issued on 28 October 2018, which had cancelled the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, is hereby revoked. As a result, the party's registration along with its electoral symbol is reinstated," reads the EC notification.

The notification further stated that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami had applied for registration as a political party under the Representation of the People Order, 1972. In line with Article 90B of the order, the party was registered on 5 November 2008 through a notification issued by the Election Commission Secretariat.

The notification also mentioned that the party's registration was cancelled following a verdict passed by the High Court on 28 October 2018.

Earlier, on 1 June, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court overturned a High Court verdict that had declared the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami as a political party illegal.

The court also instructed the Election Commission (EC) to restore the party’s registration.

Jamaat’s registration history has been long and complex.

Following the High Court's 2013 verdict, the Election Commission officially revoked Jamaat’s registration through a gazette notification on 7 December 2018. Jamaat appealed the decision, but in November 2023, the Appellate Division—then led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan—dismissed the appeal after the party’s lawyer failed to appear for the hearing.

However, in October 2024, the Appellate Division reinstated the previously dismissed appeal, allowing Jamaat another opportunity to present its case. The hearings resumed on 13 May this year and concluded on 14 May, culminating in today’s final verdict in favour of Jamaat’s reinstatement.