The election wind is now blowing in the country.
The wind has intensified as the largest political party announced the names of potential candidates for 237 seats in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Although they have not released their full lists, their potential candidates are organizationally active.
Other parties are also expected to declare their candidate lists soon, either as a coalition or on a party-by-party basis.
Potential candidates from various parties have been running in their respective constituencies for a few days now. The February elections are now dominating the discussion of the general public.
Despite this, many are still expressing concerns about the elections. Political parties have also alleged that various conspiracies are being hatched from certain quarters to thwart the elections.
Although there are allegations that the statements and actions of one or two major political parties are creating confusion about the election, Chief Advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, however, reiterated at a meeting with political parties that the national elections will be held in the first half of February next year and that the elections will be fair and festive.
Meanwhile, BNP Party Secretary General MirzaFakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the names of 237 party candidates at a press conference held at the Chairperson’s political office at Gulshan in the capital on Monday. Out of these, some seats will be left for partners, it is learned.
It is also learned that party candidates may be fielded in 23 more seats. However, the BNP’s policy-making forum can change it at any time. The remaining 40 seats would be allocated by the leaders of the alliance.
Immediately after the names of the candidates were announced on Monday, supporters of the candidates who were denied nominations in some seats took to the streets to protest. This is nothing new.
Such incidents are seen every time before parliamentary elections regarding nominations. Especially in the major parties, there are many candidates for each seat. But since only one person has to nominate for a seat, the rest are deprived of nomination. Some expressed angry reactions.
Election analysts believe that there are still many challenges in the upcoming elections. The parties are divided over the referendum and the July Charter before the elections.
The law and order situation is very fragile. Political killings and clashes are on the rise. The situation is likely to worsen as the elections approach. Therefore, all possible challenges must be properly addressed to ensure free, fair and impartial elections.
