Bangladesh Election Commission has officially reinstated Jamaat-e-Islami’s political registration and returned its election symbol, the scale, ending a ten-year legal and administrative suspension.
The move follows several internal meetings and legal reviews by the Commission, most recently its sixth session held on June 4. The Commission issued a gazette notification Tuesday confirming the decision.
Jamaat’s registration was initially canceled by the High Court on August 1, 2013, which declared the party’s status as unlawful. The party filed an appeal, but the Appellate Division dismissed it in November 2023 after legal representatives failed to appear.
On September 1 last year, Jamaat moved to reactivate its appeal. Since then, the party has engaged with the Commission, seeking a return to electoral politics. After examining legal grounds, the Commission decided to reinstate both the party’s registration and symbol.
Party lawyer Shishir Monir called the ruling a step toward inclusive democratic practice.
“This decision allows us to work alongside all groups in politics,” he said. “It opens the door for broader democratic engagement across Bangladesh and the region.”
He added that Jamaat intends to help solve national issues by building public trust and participating in political life within the framework of law and justice.
The announcement drew emotional responses from party leaders. Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar addressed supporters at Jamaat’s central office, thanking those who supported the legal process and referencing what he described as sacrifices made during earlier political struggles.
He credited the July movement and its casualties as part of the reason the party could reach this point.
“If Allah had not shown us mercy, we would not have regained this,” Porwar said. “We are thankful for those who gave their lives for this cause.”
Porwar also urged the Election Commission to remain fair and impartial in future elections and encouraged the government to uphold its public promises.
The decision places Jamaat back in Bangladesh’s formal political arena. Party members have expressed hope that they can now contribute meaningfully to national political debates and upcoming electoral processes.
