Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Leaders and individuals associated with ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League (AL) will be allowed to contest the upcoming local government elections as individuals, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and do not campaign on behalf of the party, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Zahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday.
He made the remarks while responding to a question on whether the government would allow the Awami League, whose organisational activities are currently banned, to participate in the local government polls.
Speaking at a press conference at the Press Information Department conference room at the Secretariat, Zahed said there would be no bar on individuals contesting the polls as local government elections would be held on a non-party basis. “There is no problem at all. If a person wants to participate in the election and fulfils the required criteria, he or she can contest,” he said.
Replying to a question on candidates who may still hold positions in the Awami League, the adviser said such posts could not be used in any official or political capacity as the party’s organisational activities remain prohibited.
“Since the organisational activities of the Awami League are banned, those positions cannot be used. However, as individuals, anyone who fulfils the necessary criteria and wishes to contest the election may do so,” he added.
He said the government had no reason to stop any eligible individual from contesting the local government elections.