Jamaat-e-Islami to regain Scales symbol says Election Comission

The Election Commission (EC) has decided to reinstate Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s registration with its original election symbol—the scales (Dāripalla). The announcement came after the EC’s sixth commission meeting at Nirbachan Bhaban on Tuesday (4 June).

Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah explained that the decision follows a court order. “Jamaat was initially registered with this symbol in 2008. As per the Representation of the People Order (RPO), once a symbol is allocated, it remains reserved for that party,” he said.

The scales symbol was revoked in 2016 based on a full court decision, which deemed it inappropriate as it represents judicial justice. However, Sanaullah clarified that a prior 2006 writ petition had already settled the matter, with the court ruling that the symbol’s electoral use would not undermine its judicial significance.

“The earlier verdict still stands,” Sanaullah noted. “After reviewing all legal aspects, the EC has decided in principle to restore Jamaat’s registration with the scales.”

However, the process will take time due to administrative formalities, including a statutory regulatory order (SRO) and an ongoing EC initiative to expand the pool of electoral symbols from 69 to 100.