At least 4,035 aspirants have collected nomination forms in the last three days to get the Awami League nod for the 11th general election.
The ruling party has increased the price of nomination papers from Tk25,000 to Tk30,000 this year.
On Sunday, the party started selling nomination forms for the third day from the early hours.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader inaugurated the nomination form sales on Friday. He, along with the party’s Religious Affairs Secretary Sheikh Abdullah, had bought nomination forms for the Gopalganj 3 and Rangpur 6 constituencies on behalf of Awami League chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Nomination seekers’ interviews on Wednesday
To select the party candidates, the Awami League high command will conduct interviews of all nomination seekers on Wednesday.
Obaidul Quader said that the last day for submission of nomination papers is Monday and interviews of aspirants will be conducted on Wednesday. “We will complete interviews in one day.” However, aspirants can collect and submit nomination papers till 6pm Monday.
Aspirants collect nomination paper at the Awami League president’s political office in Dhanmondi on Saturday. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune
He also said that Awami League has already finalized selection of some candidates and the rest will be chosen after the interviews.
Commuters suffer for huge grid lock
Thousands of Awami League supporters and activists from all over the country started thronging the Dhanmondi area from early Sunday, blocking the adjacent roads.
They reached the party president’s office to collect the nomination papers in colourful rallies carrying banners, festoons and playing musical instruments.
No public or private vehicles could reach their destinations in time as thousands of buses, trucks, microbuses and motorcycles were parked on Satmasjid Road, causing huge traffic congestion.
Earlier, Quader said that Awami League was a big party and a huge gathering of people was also normal.
People have expressed their frustration and agitation on social media over the huge gathering of the Awami League supporters and massive traffic gridlock.
Quader: No objection if election defers
Replying to a question over Awami League’s reaction if election schedule is differed, Obaidul Quader said ‘Awami League will have no objection if the Election Commission (EC) defers the election date following demands from different political parties and alliances.
He added that the Election Commission is solely responsible over the decision to defer the election date.
Quader claimed that the Election Commission can reschedule election date after discussing with all political parties.
Earlier on Sunday, the newly formed political alliance Jatiya Oikya Front confirmed that it will take part in the 11th national election and also urged the Election Commission to defer the election date by one month.