The BNP wants to contest the upcoming local government elections united, avoiding internal rivalries and divisions within the party. To this end, the party is emphasizing the selection of a single candidate in each area, giving priority to grassroots opinions and resolving potential disputes in advance.
The party's highest policymaking body, the National Standing Committee, also discussed the need to complete administrative and organizational preparations before the elections.
The issues were discussed at a committee meeting held at the BNP chairman's political office in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Saturday night. Chaired by BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the meeting also discussed security arrangements for the upcoming Durga Puja and various organizational matters.
Party sources said leaders exchanged views on competition among potential candidates at the grassroots level, the risk of votes being split among party members and election preparations.
The possibility of internal disputes arising from multiple candidates contesting the same position received particular attention. Since local government elections will not be held under party symbols, more than 1 BNP leader may contest for the same post, potentially splitting votes and prolonging local rivalries after the elections.
To avoid such a situation, the party has emphasized resolving differences through discussions in advance and selecting a single candidate for each position.
According to party sources, the BNP wants to ensure a fair and impartial electoral environment so voters can cast their ballots for candidates of their choice. At the same time, the party is prioritizing unity among its leaders and activists to ensure they work together during the election campaign.
4 criteria for candidate selection
The BNP plans to prioritize 4 criteria when selecting candidates for the local government elections: a clean public image, popularity, contributions and sacrifices for the party, and the likelihood of winning.
Sources said leaders had been instructed to gather information about potential candidates at the local level and prepare lists based on field-level surveys as part of the initial selection process. The party is also emphasizing the need to assess candidates' acceptability by collecting opinions from local residents and party leaders and activists.
To oversee the process, the BNP has formed a 4-member committee comprising Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Standing Committee member Ismail Zabiullah and Special Secretary Belayet Hossain Mridha.
The committee members have already held online meetings with leaders from the Chittagong, Barisal, Khulna, Rangpur and Mymensingh divisions. Discussions focused on the party's position at the local level, potential candidates and election preparations.
The committee plans to hold similar meetings with leaders from the remaining divisions.
According to party sources, if inconsistencies are found in the lists of potential candidates, the lists will be sent to divisional-level teams for review. If the issues remain unresolved, they will be discussed with the central leadership before a decision is made.
The aim is to select acceptable candidates while avoiding disputes over nominations.
BNP seeks more time before elections
The timing of the local government elections and the preparations required to hold them were also discussed at the Standing Committee meeting.
Party sources said several leaders argued that administrative and organizational preparations were necessary to restore local government institutions to effective functioning after prolonged disruptions at various levels.
Some committee members, however, called for the necessary preparations to be completed as soon as possible so the elections could be held without unnecessary delay.
The possibility of the Election Commission announcing a tentative schedule was also discussed, according to party sources.
Some members said the government needed to assign the Election Commission the necessary responsibility for organizing the local government elections. They also raised questions about the authority to announce election dates if the government had not formally assigned that responsibility.
BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Standing Committee member Ismail Zabiullah recently briefed the party chairman on discussions held online with leaders from district, metropolitan, upazila and municipal units.
The discussions covered grassroots preparations, potential candidates and organizational coordination.
The government has previously said it was preparing to hold local government elections early next year.
On September 24, Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker said the commission was considering holding the elections in January, after students' annual examinations. The plan is to begin the local government election process with Union Parishad polls.
Bangladesh has 5 types of local government institutions where elections are held: Union Parishads, municipalities, upazila parishads, district councils and city corporations.
Asked about the preparations, BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said grassroots preparations for local government elections were complete, with candidates to be selected based on public engagement, local acceptability and support among party leaders and activists.