Although the ruling Awami League has held on to the lone parliamentary seat in Bandarban six times in a row, it suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of BNP in the last upazila election.
Now with fresh upazila polls approaching, the party is determined to succeed.
Apart from intelligence information, the district unit of the party is actively looking into popular and capable leaders for nomination, to avoid past disaster.
Sources said Awami League is preparing the way to start full-fledged campaigning from March, if the election schedule is announced in February.
Party District General Secretary Islam Baby said: “We are alert about the selection of candidates for the upcoming upazila election to avoid past mistakes and soon there will be a decision about this from the party high command.”
Previous upazila elections and prospective AL contestants
In the previous Ruma upazila election, Awami League candidate Adv Basin Thoain Marma lost to the current Chairman and Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) leader Wong Thoaching Marma.
The prospective Awami League candidates in this term’s upazila election are – Adv Basin, Upazila Awami League President Ulhachig Marma and Sadar Union Parishad Chairman Shoymong Marma.
Basin is still the front runner for the nomination, as he has mass support in the area.
In Naikhongchhari, Awami League’s Professor Md Shafiullah lost to BNP candidate Tofayel Ahmed. This term the prospective candidates are – Shafiullah, Abu Taher Company, Taslim Iqbal Chowdhury and Al Hajj Khairul Bashar.
In the last election, Alikadam upazila Awami League candidate Jamal Uddin lost to BNP candidate Abul Kalam. Now the ruling party is considering – Nasiruddin, Upazila Awami League President Mong Braching Marma and Bathoiching Marma as prospective candidates from the region.
From the Thanchi upazila, Awami League candidate Thoahla Mong Marma lost to independent candidate Kalhaching.
In Rowangchhari, Awami League Chalha Mong Marma lost to JSS candidate Kaeba Mong Marma in the previous upazila election.
Commenting on the election preparation, District Awami League Vice President AKM Jahangir said: “The party will nominate such persons who can be depended on and able to work hard in the region.”
EC to hold upazila elections in March
Election Commission Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed had told reporters that the upazila elections will be held in March
He said: “We have already started preparations to hold the polls in nearly 500 upazilas across the country.
“The elections were scheduled in March as the Secondary School Certificate examinations will be held in February and the Higher Secondary Certificate examinations in April.
According to the law, upazila elections must be held during the last six months before the end of the term of the existing upazila councils.
