After more than a decade, Bangladesh's highest court has ordered the restoration of Jamaat-e-Islami’s registration as a political party.
On Sunday (June 1), the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed and three other justices, announced the verdict, instructing the Election Commission (EC) to immediately implement the decision.
This ruling effectively overturns a previous verdict by the High Court, which had declared Jamaat’s registration illegal. As a result of Sunday’s ruling, the party is now eligible to operate again as a registered political entity in Bangladesh.
The legal team representing Jamaat-e-Islami included Barrister Ehsan Abdullah Siddique, Barrister Imran Abdullah Siddique, Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir, Barrister Najib Momen, and Barrister Mir Ahmed Bin Qasem.
During the final appeal hearing, the lawyer for the Election Commission informed the court that the EC was waiting for a definitive judgment from the Supreme Court before taking any further steps regarding Jamaat’s registration. The lawyer also stated that, following an administrative directive from the Supreme Court, the party’s traditional election symbol—the balance scale—was removed from the EC’s official list. Therefore, if Jamaat regains registration, it will have to select a new election symbol.
Previously, on August 1, 2013, the High Court had issued a verdict declaring Jamaat-e-Islami’s registration invalid, in response to a writ petition. Following that decision, the Election Commission formally revoked the party’s registration through an official notification on December 7, 2018.
Now, with the Appellate Division’s latest ruling, Jamaat-e-Islami stands legally recognized once again in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
