Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has announced that he will resign from his government post and contest the next parliamentary election from Dhaka.
He made the statement while speaking to journalists at the election office in Dhanmondi on Sunday, having come to register as a voter in Dhaka-10 instead of Comilla-3.
Adviser Asif Mahmud said: “Since I will be contesting the election from Dhaka, it is more or less certain that I will transfer my voter registration there. This is to ensure that my vote is not wasted.”
He added: “Although I had become a voter earlier, I have not been able to cast my vote in any election. Two elections have taken place since I became a voter, in 2018 and 2024, and as you all know, nobody could vote during that period. I have now ensured that I will be able to vote in this election.”
Responding to questions about rumours of contesting from Dhaka-10, he said: “A final decision on where I will contest has not yet been made, but it will be from Dhaka. So far, the plan is to run as an independent candidate, but we will see how things unfold. I have not held any discussions with anyone. Whether any political party leaves a constituency vacant is not my concern. I will make my decision independently.”
On changing his voter registration, he explained: “I plan to resign from my government post and reside in the Dhanmondi area. I will be registered as a voter there. It does not matter where you are registered to vote; what is important is to be a citizen and a voter. By being registered in this area, my vote in Dhaka will not go to waste during the election.”
When asked about the timing of his resignation, he said: “I can say with certainty that I will contest the election. However, the timing of my resignation largely depends on discussions with senior government officials. I will provide an update on this soon.”
Regarding the July Charter, he said: “It is too early to comment on the July Charter. The government is considering the people in its decisions and is equally moving forward with justice, reforms, and democratic transformation. Significant progress on justice will occur within this month, and reform initiatives are ongoing. The government is very clear about the election process.”