A faction of Islami Oikya Jote, led by Mufti Abul Hasanat Amini, was removed from the Election Commission’s (EC) dialogue on Sunday after the party’s rival faction objected to their presence.
The removal took place around 10:30am as the EC began its meeting with political parties at its Agargaon conference room. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, senior EC officials and representatives from six parties were in attendance.
Although the dialogue was scheduled for 10:30am, party delegates arrived early and took their seats. Minutes before the session was to begin, a team led by Mufti Sakhawat Hossain Razi, secretary general of a separate Islami Oikya Jote faction, entered the room.
Seeing the Amini-led faction seated, Sakhawat protested, accusing them of being “allies of fascism”.
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed asked both factions to present their invitation letters. Sakhawat’s team produced theirs, but the Amini-led group failed to provide a hard copy.
“If you cannot show the printed letter, you will have to step out,” the senior secretary said.
The Amini-led faction then left the room, clearing the way for the rival group to take their seats.
Delegates from Gono Forum, Gono Front, Islamic Front Bangladesh, Islamic Unity Alliance, Bangladesh Supreme Party (BSP) and the Bangladesh Jatiya Party later joined Sunday’s discussions.
The Election Commission will meet 12 more political parties on today as part of its ongoing pre-election dialogue ahead of the general election scheduled for early February 2026.
They include the Bangladesh Labour Party, Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote, Bangladesh National Awami Party, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, Bangladesh Kalyan Party, Bangladesh Muslim League (BAL), Zaker Party, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), Bangladesh Development Party, Bangladesh Islami Front, Khelafat Majlis and Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JagPa).
The EC launched its pre-election talks with registered political parties on Thursday and has so far met 24 of the 53 parties. The Awami League’s registration remains suspended. Three new parties, including the NCP, have recently been approved for registration.
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