AL cannot contest polls: Shafiqul

Staff Reporter :

The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing has stated that the Awami League, whose political activities remain banned, will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming 13th general elections.

Speaking at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the government’s position on the Awami League was clear and unchanged.

He told reporters that as the party’s activities are prohibited and its registration has been cancelled by the Election Commission, it cannot take part in the next parliamentary elections.
Journalists at the briefing asked the press secretary about a letter sent by five US lawmakers to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, urging the interim government to ensure free, fair and inclusive elections and to reconsider the suspension of political parties. In reply, Shafiqul Alam said he had not seen the letter and was not aware of its contents. However, he stressed that the legal status of the Awami League barred it from contesting the polls.

The interim government issued a gazette notification in May this year banning all activities of the Awami League, along with its affiliated and associate organisations, he said.
The notification said the ban would remain in force until the completion of trials at the International Crimes Tribunal.

The decision was taken under the provisions of the Anti Terrorism Amendment Ordinance by the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

In their letter, the five US lawmakers welcomed Professor Yunus’s role in leading the interim government during a period of national crisis and underlined the need for cooperation across the political spectrum to create conditions for credible elections.

The lawmakers are Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of Houser Foreign Affairs Committee, Bill Huizenga, Chairman of Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Rangking Member of Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, Julie Johnson, Member of Congress, Thomas R Suozzi, Member of Congress.

They expressed concern that suspending political parties and reviving what they described as a flawed International Crimes Tribunal could undermine democratic principles, citing past election observations and a United Nations estimate of deaths during protests in mid 2024.

The lawmakers urged respect for freedom of association and individual criminal responsibility, and called on the government to revisit the decision to suspend any political party.

At the same press conference, Shafiqul Alam also addressed questions on the investigation into the killing of Osman Hadi.

He said the government was treating the case with the highest priority and that police and other security agencies were actively working on the investigation.

While the main suspect had not yet been arrested, he said several people from the surrounding area had been detained and investigators were receiving important leads.

He added that the government was providing full cooperation to ensure a thorough probe.
The press secretary said the Law Ministry had informed the government that the case would be tried under a speedy trial tribunal, reflecting the seriousness with which the authorities were approaching the matter.

He also said investigations into the killings of Dipu Chandra Das and Osman Hadi would be completed swiftly and the cases transferred to the speedy trial tribunal.
Responding to a question about the return of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman to Bangladesh and his security, Shafiqul Alam said the government welcomed his return.

He said discussions had been held with Rahman’s party regarding security arrangements and that measures were being taken in line with the level of support requested.
While the party was primarily overseeing the security issue, he said the government was providing all necessary assistance.

Shafiqul Alam said the interim government was determined to end the culture of impunity and remained committed to ensuring proper investigations and prompt trials in all serious crimes, with exemplary punishment for those found guilty.