EC suspends Awami League’s registration following govt ban

The Election Commission (EC) on Monday night suspended the registration of the Awami League as a political party, said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, reports UNB.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs banned the activities of the Bangladesh Awami League, along with its affiliated and associate organisations. In line with this, the Election Commission has decided to suspend the party's registration," he said at a press briefing around 9:15pm on Monday.

He added that the EC had already issued a gazette notification in this regard.

"We have issued the gazette accordingly. The media will receive a copy from BG Press soon," he said.

When asked why the registration was suspended, the EC Secretary replied, "This was done in accordance with the notification and announcement from the Ministry of Home Affairs."

The EC notification, issued later that night, stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs, exercising its powers under the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 and Section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009, had banned all activities of the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated, associate, and fraternal organisations.

This includes all forms of publication, campaigning in the media, online and on social media, as well as processions, meetings, gatherings, conferences, and other activities—until the trial of the party's leaders and activists is completed at the International Crimes Tribunal.

In accordance with this decision, the Election Commission has suspended the registration of the Awami League as a political party.