LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam has hinted that the existing laws may be amended if necessary to turn local body elections into partisan affairs.
While addressing a programme in the capital yesterday, he also said: “They [BNP-led 19 party alliance] do not believe in the democratic system of governance. What is the point in not participating in local body polls with party symbols? There is no such dual policy anywhere else in the world.”
Ashraf said he had been instructed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to take initiatives for amending the local government laws.
According to existing arrangements, political parties can directly nominate candidates for only the parliamentary election. For local body polls such as the city corporation, union parishad or the ongoing upazila parishads, the parties are allowed only to back certain candidates. Party symbols do not apply for the local body elections.
Commenting that the two separate systems could not simultaneously exist in the country, Ashraf said: “Amending the law is urgent for making the local governments dynamic. I hope to place a bill in parliament [in this regard].”
Referring to India, he said there was a uniform system for the national government, state governments and panchayet bodies.
He also referred to a February 12 meeting of the Awami League central working committee where participants talked in favour of holding local body elections as partisan affairs.
Ashraf, also the general secretary of the ruling Awami League, criticised BNP chief Khaleda Zia saying: “Assuming office in 1991, the Khaleda Zia-led government annulled the upazila parishad system and suspended the upazila chairmen. Does she really believe in upazila elections?”
The minister also criticised the practice of publishing the affidavits of candidates of various elections and the media making it a news issue. He said: “Like everyone else, a politician also submits tax returns. Why should there be a different law for them [that they have to submit separate affidavits]?”
He also said: “Publishing the affidavits is like assassinating the character of a politician... As a politician, can I not own a house? Will I live under a tree?”