‘Banned AL not to take part in UP poll’
Local Government State Minister Mir Shahe Alam has said the Awami League, whose organisational activities are currently banned, has no scope to participate in the upcoming local government elections.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a fish fry release programme at a pond on the Shibganj Upazila Parishad premises in Bogura on Friday.
Responding to questions from journalists, the state minister said the Awami League and its affiliated organisations would have no right to engage in political activities until the ban on the party is lifted.
He said the party would not be allowed to contest elections, organise meetings, rallies or processions, or open party offices for political activities.
Any violation of the restrictions would be dealt with under the law, with law enforcement agencies taking necessary action, he said.
Asked about the banned party, Mir Shahe Alam said it was neither appropriate nor timely to discuss the Awami League as it is currently a banned organisation.
Govt Plans Five Local Elections
Speaking about the government’s plans for local government elections, the state minister said democratic institutions and the electoral system had been weakened during the previous “authoritarian” government.
He said one of the present government’s key mandates was to hold five local government elections in a free, fair and impartial manner.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed that the elections must be made acceptable to the people, he said, adding that around Tk 6,000 crore has been allocated in the budget for the purpose.
The Election Commission is now making preparations for the polls, he added.
No Party Symbols in Local Polls
Mir Shahe Alam said recent legal changes mean there will be no party nominations or party symbols in the upcoming local government elections.
Instead, the elections will be held on a completely non-partisan basis using general symbols, he said.
He said, however, that the BNP has decided to support a single candidate in each constituency to maintain organisational discipline at the grassroots level.
If more than one candidate contests from the same union, efforts will first be made to resolve the matter locally. Organisational action could be taken against those who violate party discipline, he added.
Major Projects in Bogura
Asked about the implementation of major development projects in Bogura, including an Export Processing Zone (EPZ), an airport and the Bogura-Sirajganj railway line, the state minister said the government had been in office for only around six months.
Large infrastructure projects require time because of standard administrative procedures, he said.
However, he assured that the people of Bogura would see visible progress on the projects by December.
Fish Fry Released
Earlier, Mir Shahe Alam formally inaugurated a fish fry release programme at the Shibganj Upazila Parishad pond under the revenue sector for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Officials of the Shibganj upazila administration, local elected representatives, teachers, students and political leaders attended the programme.
After the event, the state minister visited talent-hunt examination centres for teachers and students in Shibganj and Mokamtala upazilas.
He also handed over two school buses to Shibganj Grammar School and College and Betgari Mir Shahe Alam Girls’ High School to ensure safer transportation for students.
