Abu Jakir :
Concerns loom large over the upcoming Upazila Parishad elections as the ruling Awami League faces internal discord, prompting worries from both party officials and the Election Commission. The discord arises from the failure of party ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) to adhere to directives from higher party authorities.
With the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) declaring a boycott of the polls, the failure to enforce party directives has exacerbated internal strife within the Awami League.
This internal struggle has led to a situation where AL members find themselves pitted against each other, transforming the electoral landscape into a battle of AL versus AL.
Stakeholders of the ensuing local body elections, slated to commence next month, are expressing apprehensions of chaos and violence during the voting process.
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) and the Superintendent of Police (SP) have voiced their concerns over the undue influence wielded by ministers and MPs in the Upazila Parishad elections. Senior field administrators have sought assurance regarding the Election Commission’s stance if actions are taken against these influential figures.
In response, the Election Commission (EC) has assured that it will support any action aimed at ensuring a fair, impartial, and credible election process. The EC emphasizes the necessity of conducting elections free from the influence of ministers and MPs, highlighting the importance of a level playing field.
During a recent meeting between the EC and field administration, several deputy commissioners and superintendents of police reported that lawmakers are actively intervening in the electoral process by promoting their favored candidates. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal echoed these concerns, fearing potential chaos and violence during the upcoming polls.
CEC Awal emphasized the imperative of conducting fair elections to uphold democratic continuity, warning that failure in this regard could undermine Bangladesh’s democratic credentials established in the last parliamentary polls.
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader reiterated the party’s directives for MPs and ministers to refrain from interfering in the Upazila polls. He warned of organizational and administrative action against those who defy these directives, expressing the party’s commitment to maintaining electoral integrity.
Prominent AL leader at the thana level, Abu Sufian Shafiq, acknowledged the natural inclination of ruling party MPs and ministers to endorse candidates aligned with their interests. However, he urged party leadership to intervene by nominating official candidates to mitigate intra-party conflicts and uphold discipline at the grassroots level.
Despite repeated directives from higher party echelons, MPs and ministers associated with the AL continue to openly support their preferred candidates, particularly those with familial ties to them. This blatant disregard for party unity has resulted in a fragmentation of the grassroots Awami League, with factions emerging within the party.
With the BNP opting out of participation, the upcoming Upazila Parishad Elections are anticipated to witness intense competition among AL leaders. In the 150 upazilas scheduled for the first phase of elections, an average of three AL candidates are vying for each seat.
In a recent survey across 17 districts, eight Awami League MPs, ministers, and state ministers have either declared their candidacies or voiced support for candidates. While formal announcements are pending in most regions, local MPs are rallying behind their preferred contenders.
In response to these developments, AL Organizing Secretary Mirza Azam emphasized the party’s stance against MPs and ministers fielding their candidates for the Upazila elections. He reiterated that every party member must abide by the decisions of the party leadership.
While affirming the right of individuals to run as candidates independently, he clarified that they would not enjoy the party’s endorsement. Azam assured that no punitive actions would be taken against such candidates as the decision for open elections had been made centrally.
