Zakir Hossain / DhakaBanglad
esh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus’ key adviser, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, who was also a leading figure in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement that led to Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, stated on Tuesday that Hasina’s Awami League (AL) party members, who were not involved in committing any crimes, killings, or offences, can seek forgiveness and return to politics.
“If someone [AL members] wants to contest elections, there will be no obstruction. They can contest polls. However, if any person is accused of mass killing, they will not be allowed to participate in the elections under any circumstances,” he told reporters after the sixth session of the Deputy Commissioners (DC) Conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.
The adviser also mentioned that no final decision has been made regarding holding local government elections before the national polls, but a resolution is expected soon. “Officials currently handling additional responsibilities in various local government institutions frequently urge us to appoint (full-time) administrators or conduct elections,” he noted. “The government has yet to make a final decision… However, a resolution will come soon—either through the election of public representatives or the appointment of administrators to oversee local government institutions,” he added.
Bhuiyan pointed out challenges in the local government sector, emphasizing that the absence of elected representatives has created administrative difficulties. “The divisional commissioners present here today are responsible for some city corporations. Similarly, deputy commissioners are managing zila parishads,” he said. “When a single officer is tasked with two or three responsibilities, it becomes difficult to manage everything efficiently,” he explained.
He also suggested that holding local government polls before the national election would be beneficial, as local bodies play a key role in ensuring a smooth electoral process.