Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Thursday expressed full solidarity with Tarek Rahman, who has been on a hunger strike in front of Election Commission (EC) after his political party, Aam Janatar Dal, was denied registration.

“The political party he founded certainly deserves registration. For this just cause, he has been on a hunger strike. On behalf of the BNP, I express our full solidarity with his programme,” said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Rizvi criticized EC for rejecting Aam Janatar Dal’s application while granting registration to what he described as “less significant” organisations.

“Tarek has always spoken for the country’s interests, against aggression and for Bangladesh’s sovereignty,” he said.

Tarek Rahman, known for his role in 2018 Quota Reform Movement and later involvement with Gono Odhikar Parishad, founded Aam Janatar Dal after parting ways with other political groups.

He began his hunger strike on Tuesday afternoon following EC’s decision to grant registration to three other parties; Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist) and Bangladesh Aam Janagan Party.

On Wednesday, members of Bangladesh Justice and Development Party and Moulik Bangla joined the protest, holding sit-ins outside EC office in solidarity.

Demonstrations continued on Thursday as the parties demanded registration ahead of the upcoming national election.

According to EC announcements, the three newly approved parties were allocated electoral symbols; Shapla Koli for NCP, Handshake for Bangladesh Aam Janagan Party and Sewing Scissor for Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist).

The Commission will finalize their registration after reviewing any objections submitted by November 12.

Earlier, EC invited registration applications from new parties in March 2025 and received 143 submissions before the extended deadline of June 22.

Of these, 22 parties were shortlisted for field-level verification.

Since the introduction of the registration system before 2008 general election, a total of 57 political parties have been registered.

Five of them later lost their registration status, though two regained it, while the registration of Awami League remains suspended.