BNP remains resolute in its stance to abstain from participating in any elections under the current government and Election Commission. Emphasizing this position, the party has declared its intention to boycott the upcoming upazila elections.
Despite some grassroots members expressing interest in contesting, the party's leadership has reiterated that strict disciplinary measures will be taken against any individual who defies the decision and chooses to run in the elections, including lifelong expulsion from the party.
Zainul Abdin Farroque, Vice Chairman of BNP, affirmed to Bangladesh Pratidin that there is no consideration for engaging in elections under the Awami League government. He emphasized that none of the party members will partake in the upazila elections, underscoring it as a collective party decision.
Sources indicate that a recent meeting convened by the party's high command with top leaders across Dhaka's divisions, districts, upazilas, and unions reiterated the resolve to boycott elections under the current authorities. It was underscored that organizational repercussions would befall any party member who chooses to contest in the upazila elections.
Leaders attending the meeting reported receiving a clear directive that participation in the upazila elections would result in immediate expulsion from all party positions, including primary membership. Similar disciplinary measures would extend to affiliated organizations and their members.
While some individuals may have been awaiting a potential shift in the party's stance or flexibility regarding individual candidacies, responsible leaders assert that such possibilities are no longer viable.
Some BNP leaders said that they are protesting for the establishment of voting rights in the country. For this, fair elections are needed under a non-partisan government and an impartial Election Commission. While carrying out this movement, many of their leaders and activists have been missing, killed and crippled. False case-assaults and sentences have been given. The people of the country boycotted the January 7 national election on the call of BNP.
In this situation, if the upazila elections are held under the ruling party, a wrong message will be sent to the public. People will think that BNP has moved away from its position and accepted the government.
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Senior Joint Secretary General of BNP, said that strict action has been taken against those who disobeyed the party's decision and elected in the past. As before, the party will take organizational measures against those who will participate in the upazila elections.
According to party sources, BNP participated in the upazila elections after boycotting the parliamentary elections on January 5, 2014. BNP candidates won in hundreds of upazilas in that election.
Even after the 2018 parliamentary elections, some BNP leaders participated in local government elections for the first time. After March 2021, BNP did not contest any election under the government. Rather, many grassroots level leaders have been expelled from the party for taking part in the local government elections outside the party's decision.
Among them are BNP leaders Taimur Alam Khandaker (Narayanganj) and Monirul Haque Sakku (Cumilla).
In 2022, these two became mayor candidates in the city elections. In the 2023 city corporation elections also, the party took similar disciplinary measures as many leaders participated in the elections outside the party's decision. Most of whose leaders are unable to return even after admitting their mistakes and requesting to return to the party. Despite such a strict stance, BNP expelled everyone who participated in the local government elections held in the last three months.
The election commission will hold the election of more than 400 upazila parishads in four phases next May. The polling for the first phase will be on May 4, the second phase on May 11, the third phase on May 18 and the fourth phase on May 25. The ruling Awami League has already said that they will not give party symbols in any local government elections this time. As a result, there is no 'boat' symbol and single candidate of Awami League in this election.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on March 27 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan)
