To ensure a competitive election with a good voter turnout in the upcoming upazila elections across the country, the ruling Awami League has started giving instructions to its party lawmakers and independent lawmakers not to support any candidates.
The Awami League high command has taken this decision in a bid to secure an influence-free voting environment amid the series of upazila polls in 495 upazila parishads of the country, which are going to start on May 8.
The candidates have already started election campaigns and are joining Iftar gatherings in many areas. Some of them have complained against the local lawmakers, saying that they are trying to create influence in the electoral field.
Already, in many places, Awami League MPs are declaring their favourite candidates as party candidates. Centrally, the Awami League will not give party nominations in this year's upazila elections.
To make the election participatory and competitive, party leaders have been given the opportunity to run as candidates, and anyone from the party can be a candidate.
Though BNP is not joining this election like the national election, Awami League candidates will compete against their own party colleagues in almost every upazila.
After observing this situation, many people are fearing that local influential leaders of the Awami League and local lawmakers can exert pressure on behalf of their supported candidates in these elections.
Some of the party insiders also think that the internal conflicts could turn into clashes or violence if influential leaders each try to create influence for their respective candidates.
To address this problem, Awami League senior leaders started to hold a series of meetings with their party lawmakers and district Awami League leaders at the central office.
In the last two days, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader sat with party leaders of Rangpur and Chittagong divisions, respectively.
Meetings with the other divisions are on the cards, according to Awami League Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua.
Talking with this reporter, the leaders who attended the meeting said no one can interfere in the upcoming upazila polls; this is the message that is given from this divisional-level meeting.
On Saturday, while talking with journalists before the meeting, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader asked lawmakers not to exert influence during the upcoming Upazila Parishad election.
He said: “The administration will not be able to interfere in the elections. If our ministers and lawmakers refrain from interference, then the intention of our leader to hold elections without party symbols will be effective. No one shall abuse power. Elections will be free and fair. People will elect whoever they want. The Election Commission is independent; if there is any irregularity, they will take action.”
Urging the party leaders, Obaidul Quader said: “Upazila elections will be held in four phases, so we have to behave responsibly. There are rules and regulations for the party. We will take action against those who violate the party command.”