Non-partisan upazila polls to foster fairness, inclusivity

News Desk :: In a landmark development, the ruling Awami League (AL) has taken a significant step towards promoting fairness and inclusivity in local governance by adopting a non-partisan approach for the upcoming upazila parishad elections.

This strategic decision marks a departure from traditional party practices and aims to inspire active participation from various political parties, fostering a democratic environment that seeks to enhance voter turnout.
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The decision comes in the wake of the latest general elections, which concluded amidst controversy over low voter turnout. The ruling party faced criticism from both local and international communities, providing additional impetus for the shift towards a non-partisan approach in the upcoming local body elections, according to Awami League insiders.

The pivotal decision was announced following the central working committee meeting held at the residence of party president Sheikh Hasina in Ganobhaban on Monday. The AL declared its decision to refrain from endorsing candidates for the upcoming upazila parishad elections.

Talking to the media AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said, this strategic move is aimed at mitigating intra-party divisions, a concern that gained prominence during the general elections held on January 7.

Insiders also revealed that the January 7 elections were conducted in an unprecedented manner, with Awami League-nominated MP candidates competing primarily against their own party members to introduce competitiveness. Additionally, several political parties, including the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), boycotted the polls, alleging that free and fair elections were not possible under Sheikh Hasina’s management.

In light of the BNP’s decision to abstain from any election under the Sheikh Hasina government, the Awami League has also decided not to assign its party symbol, the Nouka (Boat), to its members for the upcoming local government elections set to commence in March. Insiders suggest that the primary objective behind this decision is to make the upcoming local body elections more inclusive and competitive.

Speaking on the matter, AL joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim emphasised that the decision to refrain from endorsing party candidates in the upazila parishad elections aims to encourage competition and the active participation of other political parties in the local body polls. Responding to inquiries, Nasim, also a member of the ruling party’s nomination board for local government elections, highlighted that adopting a non-partisan approach will contribute to minimising intra-party conflicts within the Awami League.

When reached for comments, AL presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak stated, “Our main objective is to make the upcoming local body elections free, fair, and competitive, allowing candidates from all political parties to participate without intimidation.” Nanak underscored that the move signals a commitment to strengthening local governance and ensuring that the democratic spirit prevails at the grassroots level.

Amidst these developments, grassroots members of the Awami League have expressed their satisfaction with the central decision, recognising it as a positive shift towards a more transparent and inclusive electoral process.

Speaking to this correspondent, Abu Sufian Safiq, the upazila chairman of Bogura Sadar, praised the judicious decision of the party leadership not to allocate the party symbol to members for the upcoming local body elections.

He emphasised that endorsing the party symbol could trigger internal challenges, as party members may become determined to defeat the symbol if disclosed. Safiq added that this decision empowers grassroots leaders to contest the polls independently, potentially increasing voter turnout.

A grassroots leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity, highlighted that influential ministers and parliamentary members of the party have historically exerted pressure to secure victories for their preferred candidates. This has often resulted in uncontested wins, sparking criticism both nationally and internationally. However, with the recent decision, such practices are now deemed unfeasible.

In the 2019 upazila parishad elections across 473 upazilas, candidates affiliated with the ruling Awami League clinched victory in 320 chairmanship positions, with 115 uncontested. Out of these, 136 individuals, running as independent candidates, emerged victorious, the majority of whom were supporters or leaders of the Awami League.