Amjanatar Dal leader Tarek’s hunger strike enters 5th day

The hunger strike by Tarek Rahman, member secretary of Amjanatar Dal, entered its fifth consecutive day today as he continued to demand registration of his party with the Election Commission (EC).

Tarek began the hunger strike on November 4 in front of the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Despite his deteriorating health from the ongoing hunger strike, Tarek Rahman has vowed to continue his protest until the Election Commission (EC) approves his party's registration.

The EC, however, maintained that it cannot act beyond the existing rules governing political party registration.

Earlier, on November 4, the EC decided to grant registration to three new political parties: Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist), Bangladesh Aam Janagan Party, and National Citizen Party (NCP).

As his party was not included in the list, Tarek began his hunger strike that afternoon around 4:00pm.

Around 1:45pm today, Tarek was seen lying on the road in front of the main entrance of the EC building. A cannula was inserted in his right hand with saline, and medical tape was visible on his left arm. He was surrounded by onlookers, journalists, and YouTubers -- some taking photos, others talking to him. Members of Amjanatar Dal periodically handed him a printed paper showing the duration of the strike.

Showing party documents to onlookers, Tarek said that although his party fulfilled all the criteria required for registration, EC was denying them registration.

Asked whether anyone from the EC had approached him, Tarek said, "A joint secretary from the EC came and requested me to call off my strike. But I won't leave until we get registration."

Present at the venue, Tarek's father-in-law, Md Helal Uddin from Khulna, told The Daily Star that his son-in-law's elderly parents are worried and constantly checking on him over the phone. "He will not leave this place until his demand is fulfilled," he said.

Why Amjanatar Dal was denied registration

On November 5, the EC sent a letter to Amjonotar Dal explaining why the party was not granted registration. Signed by EC Deputy Secretary Md Rafiqul Islam, the letter said that while the information regarding the party's central office was accurate, it failed to provide proof of active and functional offices in two out of 22 districts and in 67 out of 100 upazilas. It also did not have verified records of at least 200 voter members in the upazila offices, the EC letter said.

Asked whether the EC was reconsidering Amjanatar Dal's registration, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told journalists, "You know the answer better than I do. What can I say?"

When informed that Tarek's hunger strike had crossed 125 hours, the EC secretary replied, "Even if it's 522 hours, there's nothing to do. Tell me, can the Election Commission go beyond the rules?"

Later, around 3:00pm, EC Secretary Akhtar added, "If anyone feels aggrieved by a decision, they can appeal to the commission accordingly."

Earlier, after 2:00pm this noon, Ishraq Hossain, special assistant to the BNP chairperson's Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee, visited Tarek.

Expressing solidarity with Tarek's protest, he said, "It has now become essential to review the registration process of Amjonotar Dal. The denial of registration to the party led by Tarek Rahman, a politically dedicated and persecuted leader, reflects political discrimination."

"We want the EC to invite all parties and offer an opportunity for re-registration. That will make it clear who is genuinely politically active and who merely exists in name. Such an initiative can help restore public confidence."