Decision on AL’s registration after receiving govt ban order: CEC

The Election Commission will decide on the Awami League's registration after officially receiving the government order banning the party, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said.

"Once we get the government order or gazette, we will sit in a meeting. No decision can be taken without government order," he told The Daily Star over phone today.

"The government's decision must be taken seriously. Once we receive the exact order, we will review the legal aspects and determine the next steps accordingly" he added.

Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarker told The Daily Star today that the commission will sit as soon as they get gazette notification on the AL ban.

The CEC and the election commissioner made the remark a day after the interim government announced its decision to ban all activities of the Awami League, including in cyberspace, under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the International Crimes Tribunal completes the trial of the party and its leaders.

The decision to ban was made at a special meeting of the council following three days of demonstrations demanding a ban on the party and its trial for atrocities to suppress the July uprising.

The ban aims to "ensure national security, protect leaders and activists of the uprising, and safeguard plaintiffs and witnesses involved in the tribunal proceedings", Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said at the briefing held in front of the chief adviser's official residence yesterday.

A circular regarding the ban would be issued on the next working day, he said.