Following a period of intense political advocacy and a high-profile hunger strike, the Amjanatar Dal has officially received its registration certificate from the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday.

This milestone marks the party’s formal entry into the national political landscape as a registered entity, clearing the path for its participation in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election.

The certificate was handed over at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon to Tarek Rahman, secretary of the Amjanatar Dal.

Earlier on 4 November, Amjanatar Dal General Secretary Tarek Rahman began a hunger strike in front of the Election Commission after the party was excluded from the registration list. Six days later, on the night of 9 November, he ended his strike following ‘assurances’ from BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed.

On 10 March of this year, applications were invited from new political parties interested in obtaining registration. After a one-time deadline extension, 143 parties applied by 22 June.

In the preliminary screening, 121 parties were excluded for failing to meet the registration criteria. The Election Commission’s (EC) inquiry committee then conducted field-level investigations into the remaining 22 parties.

On 30 September, it was announced that two parties were selected for registration. However, objections were raised against one of those parties, leading the Commission to launch a re-investigation.

In 2008, registration for political parties was made mandatory to participate in parliamentary elections. Since then, a total of 59 parties have received registration.

Among them, the registration of the Awami League is currently suspended; while the registrations of the Freedom Party, Oikyaboddho Nagorik Andolan, and PDP have been canceled.