A growing divide has emerged among Bangladesh's political parties over the sequence of upcoming elections, with disputes intensifying over whether local government polls should precede national parliamentary elections.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allied groups are firmly rejecting any move to hold local elections before a national vote, arguing that the mandate of the interim government is to oversee parliamentary elections only.
In contrast, several parties including Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, the National Citizens Party (NCP), and the Gono Odhikar Parishad have thrown their support behind holding local government elections first. These groups argue that communities are suffering from a lack of local representation and that local polls would serve as a litmus test of the Election Commission’s neutrality and competence.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told Bangladesh Pratidin that the people of the country have not been able to vote in the parliamentary elections for 15 years. They are looking forward to the parliamentary elections. Therefore, the proposal to hold local government elections before the parliamentary elections is absurd and contrary to the people's wishes.
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman recently said at a party workers' conference in Mymensingh that if local government elections are held before the national parliamentary elections, it will be an 'acid test' for the Election Commission.
He said, “Hold the local government elections first. We will see how much goodwill and capacity you have.”
BNP's allied political parties and alliances also do not want local government elections before. In the meeting with the Consensus Commission, the allied parties and alliances, including the LDP, agreed with the BNP's position or proposal.
Like-minded Nationalist Alliance coordinator and chairman of NPP Dr Fariduzzaman Farhad said, “It is not the job of the interim government to provide a corridor or hold local elections. The job of the current government is to complete the national parliamentary elections.”
He said, “We support Yunus, we will. But the national elections must be completed by February 15. Then, in stages, the holy Ramadan, SSC, HSC exams. There is a fear of natural disasters. The government should allay the fears of the people by announcing a clear roadmap on when the elections will be held.”
The issue of the demand for local elections had stalled for some time. The demand has come to the fore again. Last Friday, Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman demanded local elections first to test the capacity of the Election Commission in a party program. Two days before this, Islami Andolan Bangladesh and the People's Rights Council agreed on local elections before the national elections in a dialogue.
Last Saturday, Islamic Andolan Senior Nayeb Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim made the same demand at a rally.
Those concerned said that the parties concerned are adamant in their demand for local elections. This demand will be further strengthened. Because they are not able to have confidence in local elections under the party government.
According to the source, several like-minded parties including Jamaat, Islami Andolan will strengthen their demand not only for local elections, but also for necessary reforms and the start of trials of those involved in fallen fascism before the national election. They also want proportional representation elections or PR system.
Regarding reforms and local elections, Senior Naib Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim said, "There is no election before reforms. Reforms first, elections later. The people will not tolerate hooliganism-style elections before reforms."
Urging the public to be ready, he said, "Reforms first, elections later - a 'March for Dhaka' program is coming soon to demand this."
Faizul Karim also said that local elections should be held before the national elections to test the capacity of the EC. This is now the demand of most political parties.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
