Awami League ready for a snap election

Ruling Party Awami League is exploring the idea of holding a snap election, instead of completing its tenure of leading the government of Bangladesh. Several senior leaders of Awami League told the Dhaka Tribune that the snap election could be organized as early as the first quarter of 2018. A number of ruling party leaders, on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the Awami League has directed its party and alliance leaders to prepare for the snap election in a meeting last Tuesday. The meeting was attended by Awami League General Secretary and also Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader. Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, two presidium members and four advisors of the Awami League have pointed out that all possibilities of organizing a snap election depends on ruling party President and also Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “As a political party, Awami League always ready for election,” they added. The insiders also claimed that the BNP is currently not prepared for an election. So, if the Awami League announces a snap election within a short period of time, the BNP might not be able to prepare for the polls accordingly, thereby offering the ruling party an easier victory. Winning a snap election would also increase Awami League’s acceptance in both the domestic and the international arena, they said. In could be noted, at a meeting last Wednesday, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Rensje Teerink asked Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda regarding Election Commission’s preparations on organizing a snap election and using electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the next polls. Replying to the EU ambassador, Nurul Huda claimed that the EC is prepared to hold a snap election if needed. “It is the government who decides whether a snap election should be held or not. We will need at least 90 days to prepare for and hold the election. We are ready,” the CEC told reporters after the meeting. Meanwhile, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader hinted towards a possible snap election at a press conference held after a secretary-level meeting last Friday. The meeting was attended by the top brass of the ruling party’s affiliate organisations at Awami League’s president’s office at Dhanmondi in Dhaka. “We thought that the next election will be held on December, 2018 as per the constitution. Only Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina can announce snap polls, and if she does announce it, the Awami League is fully prepared to participate in the polls,” Quader said at the press conference. Quader further added that even if the prime minister announces the snap election next month, Awami League will definitely win in the polls. Asking not to be named, a joint general secretary of Awami League told the Dhaka Tribune that they are determined to win in the next election. “It is not a matter of snap election or regular election, the Awami League is always ready for polls,” the senior ruling party leader added. The BNP had been demanding for some time that the current parliament be dissolved and a fresh election be organized, but the ruling party Awami League vehemently opposed the opposition party’s demands so far.