Local Government State Minister Mir Shahe Alam has declared that the banned Awami League and its affiliates cannot contest upcoming local body elections or engage in any political activities until the ban is lifted. He warned of legal action for violations, stressed that questions about AL are inappropriate now, and reiterated the government’s commitment to free, fair and non-partisan local polls under amended laws.
Local Government State Minister Mir Shahe Alam on Friday said the Awami League, as an organisation whose activities have been banned, has no scope to take part in the upcoming local body elections.
Responding to reporters after a fish fry release programme at a pond on the Shibganj Upazila Parishad premises in Bogura, he said until the ban on the party was lifted, the "fascist" Awami League and its affiliated organisations had no right to take part in any political programme in Bangladesh, let alone contest elections.
The State Minister said any violation in this regard would result in legal action against the party.
Expressing discomfort over the questions about the AL, he said, "It is not right, nor appropriate, to ask questions about the Awami League right now, because the party is now a banned organisation.”
Mir Shahe Alam said because the AL remained banned, it had no right to take part in elections as a party, hold meetings, rallies or processions, or even open party offices to carry out political activities.
Explaining the government's position on local government elections, Mir Shahe Alam said the country's democratic institutions and electoral system had been damaged during the previous "authoritarian" rule.
One of the current government's main mandates, he said, was to hold five local government elections in a free, fair and impartial manner.
He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had given clear instructions that these elections must be made acceptable to the people at any cost. Around 6,000 crore taka had been allocated in the budget for this purpose, he said, adding that the Election Commission was making the necessary preparations.
Referring to legal changes concerning local government elections, Mir Shahe Alam said under the amended law, there would be no scope for party nominations or the use of party symbols in the upcoming local government elections.
The elections, he said, would be held on a completely non-partisan basis using general symbols.
He noted, however, that to maintain the "chain of command" within the party at the grassroots level, BNP had taken a policy decision to back a single candidate in each constituency.
If multiple candidates emerged in a union, he said, efforts would be made to reach a local settlement; otherwise, organisational action could be taken against those found violating party discipline.
Asked about the start of work on 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 about six months.
He said implementing large projects required time for standard administrative procedures, but added that the people of Bogura would see visible progress on these projects by December.
Earlier, Shahe Alam formally launched the fish fry release programme at the Shibganj Upazila Parishad pond.
The event was attended by Shibganj upazila administration officials, local elected representatives, teachers, students and political leaders.
Following the programme, he 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 safe transport for students.