Claiming that the BNP is trying to avoid the upcoming Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) by-election and the upazila elections because they are afraid, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said boycotting the elections would a suicidal move on BNP’s part.
“BNP did not participate in the 2014 polls, which was a suicidal decision. If it boycotts the upcoming local government elections again, it will be another wrong move, which will cause the party major harm,” the minister said during a press briefing following a meeting of the Awami League’s Publicity and Publication Sub-Committee at the party president’s Dhanmondi office in Dhaka on Friday.
Hasan, who is also the ruling party’s publicity and publication secretary, said the BNP was wary of participating in the upcoming elections after its defeat in the 11th parliamentary election, held on December 30.
He said the upazila elections would be held with or without BNP, just like the 2014 general election.
He further said even though BNP shunned the election, its leaders would independently contest the polls.
On Thursday, the BNP announced that it would not take part in any election under the Awami League government, including the upcoming DNCC by-polls and the upazila polls.
They have also decided not to field candidates for the re-election in Kishoreganj 1 and the by-election in Gaibandha 3 parliamentary seats.
The Election Commission has fixed February 28 for the DNCC mayoral by-polls and polls to elect councillors in 36 new wards under both Dhaka north and south city corporations.
The upazila parishad elections, on the other hand, will start in the first week of March and will be administered in multiple phases.
The meeting was chaired by the prime minister’s political adviser, HT Imam, and attended by Posts, Telecommunication and IT Minister Mustafa Jabbar, and lawmaker Sheikh Sarhan Naser Tonmoy, among others.
Speaking at the press briefing, HT Imam said the nation was grateful to the Election Commission for holding a peaceful and festive general election on December 30.
